Author Topic: Quaid-e-Azam University closing MSc American Studies programme  (Read 3207 times)

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Quaid-e-Azam University closing MSc American Studies programme

Islamabad: Area Study Centre for Africa, North and South America of the Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU) has decided to close MSc in Political Science and American Studies programme this year, though it has been popular among students since it inception in 2002, officials have said.

They said no new admissions would be called in this programme after completion of the current session. They said it was strange that the relevant authorities came to know that they had no mandate to run an MSc programme at the centre after about six years.

They said the authorities were of the view that the centre was meant for only MPhil and PhD programmes. However, Dr Rasool Bux Rais, who had designed the programme, said on telephone that the programme proved very helpful to put out talented students for MPhil and PhD classes. He said, "It is pity that the programme is being closed instead of merging it with an independent department to continue its valuable service. The authorities are unable to retain capable teachers and this has resulted in it implementing such a destructive initiative."

He said he got the programme approved from the QAU board of governors (BOG) after three years of constant efforts. The programme, he said, meant to provide an opportunity for better studies to students coming from all over the country. He said, "The authorities are unable to retain capable teachers at the centre that has resulted into taking such a destructive initiative."

He said the BOG was fully authorised to approve any programme and it was irrational to close a successful programme on account of 'mandate'. Official sources said the programme was beneficial as it had produced very competent students, some of whom passed CSS examination with distinction. They said only five out of 50 students were once enrolled in the programme due to shortage of teachers. A senior official said, "The programme is being closed due to poor policies and lack of sincerity on part relevant authorities."

Around 300 students have obtained degrees of MSc in Political Science and American Studies so far, he said. He said, "United States Education Foundation (USEF) has offered students visits to the US so that they can gain a better understanding of the area in which they are studying, but the director refused this offer, claiming that students might not come back."

He said the authorities could have merged the programme into that of International Relations instead of closing it. He said four lecturers and assistant professors had been appointed for the project and their fate was now hanging in balance besides the students who would have benefited from the programme.

Dr Nauman Sattar, a faculty member of the Area Study Centre for Africa, North and South America, said the programme for MSc in Political Science and American Studies had been abolished following orders of the BOG. He said, "The board has ordered that the centre does not have the mandate to run the programme and it should only continue its research work." He said the programme was very helpful to produce talented students for M Phil and PhD programmes.

 Daily Times