President orders Air University to accommodate COVID-hit student in degree pursuit

ISLAMABAD (APP): President Dr Arif Alvi has directed Air University Islamabad to reconsider a student’s request for an additional year to complete her degree, which was disrupted due to her battle with COVID-19.

Expressing his dissatisfaction with the university’s delay in processing her case, the president emphasized that Higher Education Commission (HEC) policies allowed for remedies in such situations.

The president noted that there was no reason for the university to deviate from HEC’s policies and recommendations. He criticized the university for submitting a representation to the President, potentially wasting public funds and the student’s time, without addressing the issue appropriately. He urged Air University to support and guide students, particularly in cases like this.

The President’s directive came in response to a representation filed by Air University, challenging a directive from the Wafaqi Mohtasib (Federal Ombudsman), which had directed the university to review Iqra Munir’s case. The student had sought an extension of one more year to complete her BS degree.

Iqra Munir, the complainant, was pursuing a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Psychology program at a college affiliated with Air University. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she could not finish her degree in 2020. She had requested the university to allow her additional time for degree completion, but was advised to contact HEC for an extension.

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After a year of waiting, and with no extension granted, she turned to the Wafaqi Mohtasib, who ruled in her favour. The university contested this decision by filing a representation with the President.

President Alvi rejected the representation, stating that the university had not followed HEC’s recommendations and had not presented the case to the University Functional Committee (UFC), which had the authority to make a decision in this matter. The President noted that the student had fallen ill due to COVID-19 and had been striving to obtain more time to complete her degree.

HEC’s policy guidelines allow a maximum of 6 years for degree completion, extendable by one year with the approval of Statutory Bodies. The President pointed out that if her case had been timely presented to the UFC, the issue could have been resolved.

President Alvi emphasized the importance of facilitating students, particularly women, who have invested time and effort in their education. He rejected the university’s representation and directed them to adhere to HEC’s policies and recommendations without further delay.