Apart from their educational rights, the students’ rights to safety and privacy also need to be protected, and the misuse of technology available to universities under Smart University Programme must be impeded, Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Dr Tariq Banuri said. He was addressing a presser organised in the backdrop of recent tragic incidents in various universities across the country, including the alleged breach of students’ privacy at the University of Balochistan, mysterious death of a student at Shaheed Muhtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University, Larkana, alleged negligence that caused death of a student in Bahria University, Islamabad, death of a student of COMSATS University, Islamabad, and the students attack on Vice Chancellor Federal Urdu University, Karachi. Dr Banuri said that that HEC is revising its Anti-Harassment Policy to overcome loopholes and present viable solutions to harassment cases. He regretted that suicide incidents claim more lives than violence incidents in the country. The Chairman emphasised on psychological counselling of students so as to prepare them to tackle mental stresses. He said the presence of medical officers as well as psychological counsellors on campuses is a must to ensure timely support to students facing medical or psychological challenges. He stressed the need for training students on the conduct they need to adopt while using social media. He said verbal violence has gone on the rise on the social media and the students need to be trained on demonstrating civility.
Dr Banuri condemned the recent incidents, stating that they must be taken seriously. He said the entire educational system needs to perform in the right way. “We must not shirk our responsibilities in this regard.” He emphasised on setting up a system which could help determine those responsible for such mishaps.
He said HEC is in contact with the government to realize it the importance of funding for the sector. “Pakistan is providing the lowest level of funding to the higher education sector,” he emphasised.
The Chairman said HEC has shared guidance on buildings safety with the universities, under which proposals have been given regarding proper procedural protocols, monitoring and inspection system, backup plans, safety drills, certification, and emergency mechanism.
