Sawan Khaskheli Tandojam
Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) Tandojam is facing financial constraints to address emerging challenges, which have impacted badly on academic and research activities, observed teachers in the university.
SAU Teachers’ Association (SAUTA) President Dr. Pir Ahmed Naqi Shah on Monday urged upon the higher education commission (HEC) Islamabad and Sindh provincial government for issuing an immediate grant of Rs1 (One) billion on an emergency basis to put the university out of the crisis.
He showed serious concerns over the critical current financial crisis of the university, saying due to acute shortage of funds for last few years the academic and research activities are severely affected.
For example, he said the present serving teachers are not receiving their promotions, remunerations, and other long-awaited dues. The retired teachers, officers, and employees are also not being paid their post-retirement dues.
He said the university has contributed a lot in the fields of research on integrated farming, climate-smart agriculture, soil status, desertification, land management, fisheries, livestock, nutrition, horticulture, floriculture, poultry and other emerging challenges.
People associated with the university have potential to help the policymakers to make legislations to promote agriculture, livestock and fisheries, as these three sectors engage more people for livelihood activities.
SAU produces a number of scientists every year in various fields to serve the country. Many of them join different sectors, like seed management, pesticides, and fertilizer companies, research institutes, and bringing good name to their alma mater. Despite this contribution, the government authorities seem reluctant to help in such a difficult time save the university.
The teachers, including those who guide Ph.D. scholars and produce studies on various subjects, have observed that they seem unable to carry on their work, despite the fact it is in need of an hour.
They believe that the grant may help smooth the running of the university to achieve the goals of research, quality education.
