An Exemplary Tenure of Prof. Anwar Gilani (HI) as Vice Chancellor at the University of Haripur

Presently, I serve with Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi. However, the imprinted pleasant memories of my previous engagement with the University of Haripur (UOH) ensued me to write this article. I believe, we are morally obliged to share the great experiences of remarkable examples for motivation and inspiration for others to achieve sustainable transformation in the society. Specifically, I will pin down a few exemplary initiatives of Prof. Anwar Gilani (HI) as Vice Chancellor (VC) at the UOH to put the University on the avenues of excellence.?

My journey started with the UOH in late 2019 when I joined as Assistant Professor, Department of Management Sciences. Due to my academic background in administration and public policies and administrative work experience, the VC was kind enough to involve me in his team where I got the opportunity not only to directly work under his command but it also helped me to understand the dynamics of working environment in a public sector University where I learnt a lot.?It also helped me to closely understand and assess his leadership and working styles. His tireless and consistent efforts brought the UOH’s imagine at international forums and has brought great pride to the institute.

It is beyond imagination of what Prof. Gilani has achieved during his tenure of three years at the UOH. I believe every VC across the country will love to have such contributions while completing his/her tenure and to observe the same dignified farewell. Today, the UOH is rated in top ranked institutions of Pakistan and its name is being reflected at many international forums. Prof. Gilani’s tenure has set an example for entire Pakistani young universities to be followed. It is important to set down what, why and how he has achieved during his stint at the UOH and took the university out of crises in such a short span of time.

Prior to Prof. Gilani’s tenure, the University was facing multiple challenges on different fronts; two-thirds of employees were working on contract mostly with as long as 8 years of service, only two Faculties with 19 departments, insufficient infrastructure, extreme shortage of senior faculty (only 03) and administrative officers but with strong employees Union and a large number of court cases. Employees were demanding regularization without going through the promulgated process. Similarly, the university had a budget deficit of 31 million, with lesser number of students (around 3200). However, during his tenure, Prof. Gilani took revolutionized initiatives placing a young university in the top-ranked institutions of Pakistan from nothing to everything.

Employees’ satisfaction and job security are key for sustainable development and long-lasting impacts for any institution. It is important especially for a public sector university to have top ranked faculty for its survival when the Higher Education Commission has cut the funds and it is being debated that the universities have to generate their own financial resources. ?In viewing the dangling situation of the UOH, it was therefore imperative to hire new faculty especially at senior positions and to regularize the existing staff working on the contract basis. It is always challenging in Pakistani institutions to process new recruitments as evident from many institutions throughout the country. However, Prof. Gilani was able to conduct 12 selection boards to hire, regularize, and promote hundreds of employees on merit which was not less than a miracle. Probably, this is a record of selection boards by any VC in any university in the history of Pakistan.

On the heels of these series of selection boards, the senior faculty has now increased from 03 to 43 (10 Professors and 33 Associate Professors). Similarly, the number of faculty under the tenure track system (TTS, considered to be means of academic and financial sustainability) has increased from 17 to 70. At the national level, the percentage of teachers having Ph.D. degrees in universities is around 35%, while at the UOH, teachers with Ph.D. degrees reached 70 %. The number of Faculties has increased from two to five, with 11 new departments (including 20 subjects) and 30 academic programs. The UOH is a rare University where around 90 % of its employees hold regular appointments and has zero strength of daily wagers. In addition to infrastructure development (Rs. 1.5 billion projects which is in its full swing) and research funding (38 projects amounting to Rs.110 M), the UOH has achieved distinct academic growth during this period. Today, the University is financially stable and has surplus budget of 39 million with record number of enrollment. ?

The UOH has attracted a large number of students reaching a total strength of about 7000 (near 100 % increase) in last few years. A number of Ph.D. programs grown to 22 and MS/M.Phil programs to 24. Hence, PhD student strength increased substantially from 19 to more than 300 during the last three years. The UOH is the 1st university in Pakistan to offer a Ph.D. in Medical Lab Technology, a profession with high employability.?There were a number of some other important initiatives such as establishment of Center for Counselling and Social wellbeing, Disability Resource Center, Professional Development Center and Day Care Center, Pension Endowment Fund. ?It is important to dig out why Prof. Gilani has achieved what others can dream about. ??

Firstly, it is strategic planning where the commitment and dynamic leadership of Prof. Gilani who made impossible to possible.??It is always challenging to lead a university who is never in a stable condition.?Back in March 2019, Prof. Gilani accepted this challenge to take out the UOH from the severe crises and set a new example for entire academia. ?He came up with a fine vision for the UOH, crystallized it and been instrumental in driving it into reality. He thoroughly analyzed the situation, established his plans utilizing his vast administrative experiences in various leading positions, set his team, and executed his plans with full commitment and enthusiasm. ?He is a man of leading from the front. He gave maximum to the UOH. I have seen him to be in the office for 10-12 hours per day. I have seen him to engage his team for the University matters at 2 am on WhatsApp.?He remained available for his team on 24/7. Nobody can imagine any VC would have worked like him. He truly set an example how to lead and actively engage his team. It is therefore, his strategic planning, visionary leadership, commitment and fulltime engagement are the major drivers to make him an extraordinary VC and placing the UOH in top ranking institutions of Pakistan.

Secondly, Prof. Gilani is strong believer of meritocracy and he practically brought the system of meritocracy at the UOH which is another key factor for his achievement and success story. In 2021, seven faculty members led by VC himself were listed among the top 2 percent scientists of the world in Stanford’s list. Six out of these seven faculty members were inducted at the UOH in his tenure. Their names listed in Stanford’s list speak itself that they deserve to be hired which proves that UOH believes in meritocracy and equal opportunities. Merit-based selection is key for an institution’s reputation and bringing it in a position to put it in high ranks. During the tenure of Prof. Gilani, the system of meritocracy and transparency remained at its peak at the UOH. His approach of merit-based selection attracted renowned scientists as the faculty members of international repute.?Merit-based decisions taken by Prof. Gilani will surely take the University to its new heights and the time is not far when the UOH will emerge as a learning hub and one of the best national and regional institutions.

Thirdly, Prof. Gilani’s resilience and his ability to sustain pressures from multiple actors was key for his remarkable tenure.?It is never easy to take merit-based decision in complicated institutional setup like we have in our educational institutions. To face many court cases and political involvement in university affairs are considered normal practices in Pakistani society. Therefore, administrators are generally hesitated to take any big decision.?However, Prof. Gilani faced it patiently and with cool minded tackling the situation quite smartly and never accepted any external pressure rather ensured merit and transparency. The UOH won 26/26 court cases which is another evidence of transparency and his claim of meritocracy. He remained rational and proactive in term of engaging people in the university and placing right person for the right job. He possesses the qualities to engage and motivative others for any noble cause.?He was vigilant about internal politics and he was quite successful to promote collegiality and instilled collective thinking in all the stakeholders.

Fourthly, under Prof. Gilani leadership, the contributions of faculty members were highly recognized and he set a culture to vitalize the achievers whether faculty members or administrative stuff. He always encouraged and available to the faculty members and scientists for their guidance and he was keen to help and motivate them to produce new projects and proposals that can bring positive change in the society. It is highly important for a scientist and scholar when their contributions are recognized and appreciated by the top hierarchy. He had set a reputation where your work is truly recognized and awarded. He provided congratulatory sheets and appreciation letters to honor and acknowledge the achievements of the scholars. Resultantly, the UOH has emerged the right platform attracting young talent to prove their potential and get due respective and honor. The recognition, friendly environment, and professionalism at the UOH were the reasons for shining the name of the UOH in forums like Stanford ranking under Prof. Gilani headship.

Fifthly, his prominent profile was also one of the reasons for his fascinating tenure.?He is a distinguished national professor and is well recognized nationally and internationally for his work. Prof. Gilani has spent over 30 years at Agha Khan University Karachi and has served as Chairman, Pakistan Council for Science and Technology from 2015-2018. ?His name has appeared in the top one percent of the world scientists based on study conducted at Stanford University, USA 2020. He is also the only VC in the history of Pakistan who has been conferred three civil awards including Hilal-i-Imtiaz by the President of Pakistan. He holds multiple national and international awards. He has been actively involved in many decisions making process at national level and his connections with policy makers and strategists at national and international level made him distinct from the others. By utilizing his vast experiences and extra-ordinary contributions in different institutions, he has been able to set his realistic targets and attained them quite amicably in due course of time.?Finally, he proudly completed his unforgettable period with full of successful stories on 14 March 2022.

It was never easy for the University to accept that such a gem is leaving the University and his space will never be filled. At the same time, it was a moment of pride for him and for the UOH that he is completing his marvelous tenure with remarkable achievements that the UOH has ever witnessed.?He was given a high-level farewell gracefully and with due fervor. ?Prof. Gilani was very popular in local community especially local media always projected his excellent steps and promising initiatives. People from every walk of society paid rich tribute to his gigantic contributions and his unmatched passion to promote the UOH. ?It’s time for existing faculty and upcoming VC to sustain his legacy on the same lines so that the UOH can flourish with the similar pace. I believe, he will be remembered forever for his unique and highly impactful contributions. I am quite lucky to serve under such amazing and matchless personality. On behalf of the local community once again, I must thank him for his meritorious services to the UOH and putting the university in top ranking….

The writer is working as Assistant Professor, at Department of Public Administration, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. He has served as Assistant Professor and Coordinator for Graduate Program in Public Administration & Governance, and Media Coordinator at the University of Haripur, Pakistan. He earned PhD in Public Administration and Governance from Getulio Vargas Foundation, Brazil. He is a former Visiting Fellow at the University of Delaware, USA. He can be reached at?[email protected]

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