ISLAMABAD (Khyber Mail): A search committee has completed the task of shortlisting five candidates for the long-awaited appointment of the rector at Comsats University Islamabad (CUI). The committee’s recommendations will be presented at a special meeting of the university’s senate on July 22, which will focus solely on appointing the new rector.
The federal minister for information technology, who also serves as CUI’s pro-chancellor, has convened this meeting. An official confirmed, “The issue of appointing a rector is nearing resolution. The search committee has finalized its work and shortlisted five candidates, whose names will be presented to the senate for selection.”
Although an official letter from Comsats has informed members about the July 22 meeting, a federal government source hinted at a possible postponement due to the minister’s other commitments on that date. However, if the minister’s schedule permits, the meeting will proceed as planned.
“Postponing the meeting for a few days is not a major issue; the positive news is that the rector appointment process is moving forward. This is encouraging for faculty members and students,” the source added.
Since the resignation of Rector Dr. Mohammad T. Afzal last July, the university’s chancellor, then-President Dr. Arif Alvi, appointed Senior Dean Prof. Dr. Sajid Qamar as the interim rector. Dr. Qamar has been managing the university’s affairs on an interim basis since then. Additionally, several other key positions, including the registrar’s office, are also being managed on an ad hoc basis.
CUI is one of Pakistan’s leading universities, with its main campus in Islamabad and six additional campuses—five in Punjab and one in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. With around 35,000 students across all campuses, CUI is a major institution of higher learning in the country. Formerly known as Comsat Institute, it became Comsats University in 2018 under an Act.