The University of Chitral was one of the
top-priority demands of the inhabitants of this landlocked district. Better
late than never, we have it now. A building, although smaller for the time
being, has opened its gates to the student community of Chitral. What's more important
now is a vibrant full-fledged campus along with competent human
resource and adequate funds. Here it is important to ask why?
Full-fledged vibrant campus:
For any university to be functional and start its operations a
regular campus is the first thing to be there. A campus is not just a building.
It has to be lively and vibrant. The students, teachers and all other staff
should seem to have an air of pride and excellence. For this purpose the VC or
PD has to induce the vision of the university into the minds of every student, lecturer
and staff (from peon to VC himself) very clearly. Where the University wants to
stand 10-20 years ahead? The answer to this questions should be the same and
communicated across the board. To make it vibrant, the campus should have
regular classes, occasional events, national level contents, conferences and
research publications. Students should be encouraged to speak up their mind and
come up with innovative curricular and co-curricular ideas. Along with all
this, any action which damages the vision of the university should be strictly
discouraged. The campus air should not be filled with political slogans and
political activities on campus. Vibrant
doesn't means students should start throwing stones on the window panes of the
classes. And this will not happen, if from the very first day the leader starts
communicating the vision and proving it with his own integrity and adherence to
the vision. From Day One, the team should start branding the campus in
accordance with the vision.
Competent Human Resource:
To achieve any goal and materialize any vision or dream, the
importance of a competent team is utmost. However, we should not measure
competence by high marks or good grades only. By competent here I mean that the
team members (academia, administrative, support staff) should be skilful as
well as characterful. As the integrity equation equals competence + character.
The team should know the importance of their role as thousands of youth is
there to learn and lead the nation. If the vision is to be the best university
of Pakistan, you have to hire the best teachers, the best office assistant, the
best accountant and even the best driver. If your vision is to be the best
research university in Pakistan, you have to hire the best statistician, the
best epistemologist, develop the best R&D section etc. In short, your
actions should translate to your vision. Your small actions should represent
the bigger vision. The way you walk on the campus, as a student, lecturer or
PD, should tell the people looking at you that you are walking the talk. You
are adding your each step to the vision you look up to. With competent human
resource you can make a far greater progress towards your vision than a lousy
one. A group of competent academicians produce competent youth. A group of
professional administrative staff produce quick and desired results. A group of
competent students add to a prosperous nation.
At times, as a visionary team, you might have to stand up for your
vision and only a competent team can do that. Saying no to nepotism, political
pressure, and students' politics would be important if that threatens your
vision.
Adequate Funds:
For a vibrant campus and recruit competent HR, the university should
have enough funds. Funds should be readily made available by the Govt and HEC.
The leader and the team should know the amount of funds required at a
particular time. A budget flow timeline should be on the figure tips of the
accounts and finance section. In case of inadequate funds from the Govt, the
team should know about the availability of other avenues of funding including
international. The vision and competent team can be a good reason to seek funds
from donor agencies. Funds can also be generated through the campus resources
such as events, publications, students' start-ups etc. With adequate funds,
necessary infrastructure can be built, advanced technology purchased and
scholarship schemes introduced. To keep the funds available, the university
should not be engaged in extravagant activities which have less impact or no
value addition to the vision of the university.
There are many other factors which should be taken care of if
University of Chitral has to be made an example of greatness. However, the
above three are the very fundamentals the university team should stick to.
Every Chitrali has attached high hopes with UoC and we hope to see it among the
top universities of Pakistan very soon.
