The Nexis University, Sialkot Act 2025

^{^[1]}THE NEXIS UNIVERSITY, SIALKOT ACT 2025

(ACT XXIX OF 2025)

[2^nd May 2025]

An Act to provide for the establishment of the Nexis University, Sialkot.

Whereas it is expedient to provide for the establishment of the Nexis University, Sialkot in the private sector, and to provide for the ancillary matters.

Be it enacted by the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab as follows:

1. Short title and commencement.– (1) This Act may be cited as the Nexis University, Sialkot Act 2025.

(2) This Act shall come into force at once.

2. Definitions.– In this Act:

(a) “Academic Council” means the Academic Council of the University;

(b) “Authority” means any of the Authorities of the University specified in section 17;

(d) “Chairperson of the Board” means the Chairperson of the Board of Governors of the University;

(e) “Chancellor” means Governor of the Punjab

(f) “Commission” means the Higher Education Commission established under the Higher Education Commission Ordinance 2002 (LIII of 2002);

(g) “Company” means the Edusphere (Private) Limited;

(h) “constituent college” means a college maintained and administered by the University;

(i) “Controller of Examinations” means the Controller of Examinations of the University;

(j) “Dean” means the head of a Faculty of the University;

(k) “department” means a teaching department maintained and administered by the University in the prescribed manner;

(l) “Faculty” means an administrative and academic unit of the University consisting of one or more departments or constituent colleges as may be prescribed;

(m) “Government” means Government of the Punjab;

(n) “head of department” means the head of a department;

(o) “prescribed” means prescribed by the rules, statutes or regulations;

(p) “Pro Vice Chancellor ” means the Pro Vice Chancellor of the University, appointed by the Board;

(q) “Punjab Higher Education Commission” means Punjab Higher Education Commission set up under the Punjab Higher Education Commission Act 2014 (I of 2015);

(r) “Registrar” means the Registrar of the University;

(s) “Schedule” means the Schedule appended to this Act;

(t) “Search Committee” means the Search Committee constituted by the Board to make recommendations for the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor;

(u) “statutes”, “regulations” and “rules” mean respectively the statutes, regulations and rules made under this Act;

(v) “teacher” includes a Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor or Lecturer engaged the whole time by the University and such other persons as may be prescribed;

(w) “Treasurer” means the Treasurer of the University;

(x) “University” means Nexis University, Sialkot constituted under this Act; and

(y) “Vice-Chancellor” means the Vice-Chancellor of the University.

3. Establishment of the University.– (1) The Higher Education Department of the Government shall, by notification in the official Gazette, establish Nexis University, Sialkot in the private sector with its campus located at Sialkot.

(2) The University shall be a body corporate having perpetual succession and a common seal with power to acquire, hold and dispose of property and shall, by the said name, sue and be sued.

(3) The University shall consist of the following:

(a) Chancellor;

(b) Chairperson and members of the Board;

(d) Chairpersons and Deans;

(e) members of an Authority;

(f) teachers and the students of the University; and

(g) officers and members of the staff of the University.

4. Functions and powers of the University.– The University shall:

(a) provide instruction and training in:

(i) Science and Technology; Arts, Design and Architecture; Law; Social Sciences; Management Science; Public Relations; Languages and Literature; Humanities; Information Technology and Computer Science; Media and Mass Communication; Strategic Planning; Entrepreneurship; Public Health Sciences; Science of Human Body and Mind; Education; Hospitality and Tourism Management; and

(ii) such other branches of knowledge, as the Board may determine with the prior approval of the Chancellor given on the recommendations of a committee constituted by the Board and, where applicable, subject to the prior approval of the relevant statutory body of professional education.

Provided that Faculties listed above or to be established later on, shall be approved, on the recommendations of Accreditation Committee and where applicable, subject to the prior approval of relevant statutory body of a professional education.

(b) to provide for research, demonstration and other services, and for the advancement and dissemination of knowledge;

(c) to hold examinations and confer on or award degrees, diplomas, certificates and other academic distinctions to persons who have passed its examinations;

(d) to select and promote faculties;

(e) to prescribe a course of studies;

(f) to establish and support other facilities for education, training and research;

(g) to decide teaching methods and strategies including on-campus, online, distance learning, or any other teaching method as may be prescribed and approved by the Board;

(h) to establish, maintain, manage, regulate and administer Authorities of the University, Faculties, departments, Colleges, laboratories, organizations, bodies, trusts, and such other facilities as the Board may determine and approve from time to time;

(i) to start Sandwich Programs, dual degree programs and Split Programs between National and International Universities and to collaborate with other educational institutions in all academic matters;

(j) to award an honorary degree in recognition of outstanding performance or other distinctions, awards, prizes etc. on any person on the recommendations of the Board;

(k) to accept an examination and period of study spent by a student of the University at any other university or place of learning and prescribe conditions for such acceptance or withdrawal;

(l) to publish research papers and other documents and get Intellectual Property Rights registered and protected under the relevant laws and to license them for consideration;

(m) to fix and demand such fees and other charges from the students as may be determined by the Board from time to time;

(n) to provide for financial assistance, scholarships and awards for the deserving students;

(o) to establish Constituent Colleges and otherwise admit any educational institution to the University’s privileges or withdraw such privileges and to determine and demand such fees etc. as may be prescribed for the said admission and/or related to the University’s privileges;

(p) to engage, employ and appoint any appropriate person required for the operations of the University;

(q) to enter into lease agreements for property and equipment as may be required for the operations and benefits of the University;

(r) to invest and manage the University Fund and/or seek loans and financial facilities in the manner as may be prescribed by the Board;

(s) to enter into memorandums, agreements, contracts and commercial arrangements with other persons, institutions and organizations;

(t) to exercise any other power ancillary to the above powers, the University’s status as a corporate body and such other functions as may be prescribed by the Board;

(u) to offer interdisciplinary programs that combine technology, business, Artificial Intelligence, and social sciences etc;

(v) to collaborate with banks and financial institutions to create tailored financial products, such as low-interest loans and startup credit lines for university-affiliated entrepreneurs;

(w) to enter into international research grants, funding opportunities, scientific donations and other international consortium projects to enhance national science and technology (S&T) collaborations;

(x) to establish a campus within or outside Pakistan in collaboration with any international educational authority or institute under the Transnational Education Policy (TNS) of the Higher Education Commission;

(y) to confer degrees on person who have carried out independent research under prescribed conditions;

(z) to enter into a trade in the stock exchange, set up asset management companies and services, venture capital firm(s), set up incubators, technology parks, software houses, IP offices for startup and spin-off companies incubated in the university and other finance and investment related ventures for the purpose defined herein this act. Additionally, the university shall make necessary registration with Intellectual Property Organization (IPO) Pakistan / World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and the same shall be registered in the name of the university or any of its faculty member(s) and student(s) as may be prescribed by the board;

(aa) to set up a publishing house, online indexing portals, and other scholarly ventures to promote the publishing of books, journals, magazines, periodicals, and research papers for the dissemination of knowledge;

(ab) to get into public-private partnerships and establish museums, galleries and other companies, enterprises and centers of excellence for the development of teaching and research and to make such arrangements for their maintenance, management and administration as may be prescribed;

(ac) to receive and manage property, grants, bequests, trusts, gifts, donations, and endowments and obtain loans or aid and to invest them in such manner as may be prescribed by the Board;

(ad) to invest in or to enter into agreements, contracts, leasing agreements, financial arrangements, and execute mortgage deeds, and arrangements with governments, organizations, institutions, banks, including other financial institutes, bodies and individuals for the university or on behalf of affiliated companies, associate companies, sister concerns or related party to the University;

(ae) to enter into the agreements, memorandum of understandings and deals partnership with the government and other universities, organizations and institute etc. for the development of educational activities and to provide services or otherwise, as the case may be;

(af) to perform any other prescribed or an ancillary function; and

(ag) to decide teaching methods and strategies including virtual, on-campus and online, distance learning, etc. in a such manner as prescribed by the board to ensure the most effective education and training programs.

5. University open to all.– Subject to the reasonable restrictions as may be prescribed, the University shall be open to all persons and admission to the University shall not be denied on the basis of gender, religion, race, creed, color or domicile.

6. Jurisdiction.– (1) The jurisdiction of the University shall extend to the Province of the Punjab.

(2) The University shall not open any sub-campus or international campus for a period of three years from the date of commencement of this Act.

7. Officers of the University.– The following shall be the officers of the University:

(a) Chancellor;

(b) Chairperson and members of the Board;

(d) Pro Vice-Chancellor;

(e) Deans;

(f) All Heads of Departments;

(g) Registrar;

(h) Treasurer;

(i) Controller of Examinations; and

(j) such other persons as may be prescribed by the statutes or regulations to be the officers of the University.

8. Chancellor.– (1) The Chancellor or his nominee may preside over a convocation of the University.

(2) The University may confer an honorary degree with the prior approval of the Chancellor.

(3) The Chancellor may approve the draft statutes submitted by the Board or return the Statutes to the Board for reconsideration.

(4) In the performance of his functions under this Act the Chancellor shall act and be bound in the same manner as the Governor of a Province acts and is bound under Article 105 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

9. Inspection and inquiry.– (1) The Chancellor may direct inspection or inquiry into the affairs of the University.

(2) The Chancellor shall convey his views with regard to the result of the inspection or inquiry to the Board and may, after ascertaining the views of the Board, recommend any remedial action to the Board.

(3) The Board shall, within the time specified by the Chancellor, submit a report to the Chancellor about the action taken on the recommendations of the Chancellor.

(4) If the Board fails to take action to the satisfaction of the Chancellor within the specified time, the Chancellor may issue such directions as he thinks fit and the Board shall comply with the directions.

10. Vice Chancellor.– (1) The Chancellor shall, on the recommendations of the Search Committee, appoint a person as Vice Chancellor.

(2) The Board shall determine the terms and conditions of service of the Vice Chancellor.

(3) The Vice Chancellor shall be the person who possesses the qualifications and experience determined by the Board.

(4) The Vice Chancellor shall perform such functions as are given in this Act or as may be prescribed or as assigned to him by the Board.

11. Powers of the Vice-Chancellor.– (1) The Vice-Chancellor shall be the chief executive officer of the University responsible for all administrative and academic functions of the University and for ensuring that the provisions of this Act, rules, statutes and regulations are observed in all affairs of the University.

(2) The Vice-Chancellor may attend a meeting of an Authority or body of the University.

(3) Subject to the conditions as may be prescribed by the Board, the Vice-Chancellor may, in case of an emergency, take an action which is not otherwise in the competence of the Vice-Chancellor and within three days of taking such action, shall submit a report of the action taken to the Chairperson of the Board.

(4) Subject to the general supervision and control of the Board, the Vice-Chancellor may:

(a) direct a teacher, officer or other employee of the University to take up such assignment in connection with examination, administration or any other activities in the University as he may consider necessary;

(b) sanction by re-appropriation of an amount for an unforeseen item not provided for in the budget of the University;

(d) suspend, punish or remove, in the prescribed manner, an officer, teacher or employee of the University except those appointed by the Board;

(e) take disciplinary action against a teacher, officer or any other employee of the University in the prescribed manner; and

(f) delegate, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, any of his powers to a teacher or officer of the University.

(5) The Vice-Chancellor shall prepare an annual report containing information as regards the preceding academic year including disclosure of all relevant facts pertaining to academics, research, administration and finances of the University.

(6) The Vice-Chancellor shall, within three months of the conclusion of an academic year, submit the annual report of the University to the Board and the Administrative Department of the Government.

12. Acting Vice Chancellor.– Subject to the conditions as may be prescribed, if the office of the Vice Chancellor is vacant, or the Vice Chancellor is absent or is unable to perform the functions of his office due to illness or some other cause, the Chancellor shall make arrangements for the performance of the duties of the Vice Chancellor by any other person, as it may deem fit, for a period not exceeding six months.

13. Registrar.– (1) The Board shall appoint a Registrar of the University on the recommendation of the selection board on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed.

(2) The Board shall not appoint a person as Registrar unless he possesses the prescribed qualifications and experience.

(3) The Registrar shall be a full-time officer of the University and shall:

(a) be the administrative head of the secretariat of the University and be responsible for the provision of secretarial support to the Board and the Vice-Chancellor;

(b) be the custodian of the common seal and the academic records of the University;

(d) supervise the process of selection, appointment or nomination of a member to an Authority or body of the University in the prescribed manner; and

(e) perform such other duties as may be prescribed or as may be assigned by the Vice-Chancellor or the Board.

(4) The Registrar shall hold office for a term of three years.

14. Controller of Examinations.– (1) The Board shall appoint a Controller of Examinations of the University on the recommendation of the Selection Board on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed.

(2) The Board shall not appoint a person as Controller of Examinations unless he possesses the prescribed qualifications and experience.

(3) The Controller of Examinations shall be a full-time officer of the University and shall be responsible for all matters connected with the conduct of examinations and perform such other duties as may be prescribed or assigned by the Vice-Chancellor or the Board.

(4) The Controller of Examinations shall hold office for a term of three years.

15. Treasurer. – (1) The Board shall appoint a Treasurer of the University on the recommendation of the Selection Board on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed.

(2) The Board shall not appoint a person as Treasurer unless he possesses the prescribed qualifications and experience.

(3) The Treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the University and shall:

(a) manage the assets, liabilities, receipts, expenditures, funds and investments of the University;

(b) prepare the annual and revised budget estimates of the University and present the estimates to the Board;

(d) ensure that the accounts of the University are audited annually and are available for submission to the Board within six months of the end of a financial year; and

(e) perform such other functions as may be prescribed or assigned to him by the Vice-Chancellor or the Board.

(4) The Treasurer shall hold office for a term of three years.

16. Appointments. – The University may employ such persons in its service as may be necessary, on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Board.

17. Authorities of the University. – The following shall be the Authorities of the University:

(a) Board of Governors;

(b) Academic Council;

(d) Board of Advanced Studies and Research;

(e) Selection Board;

(f) Finance and Planning Committee; and

(g) any other Authority as may be prescribed by the statutes or the regulations.

18. Board of Governors.– (1) The Board of Governors of the University shall consist of the following:

(a) Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company;

(b) members of the Company subject to a maximum of three members, including at least one woman, to be nominated by the Chairman of the Board;

(c) five persons, including at least two women, from amongst eminent scholars, business persons or academicians to be nominated by the Company;

(d) three members of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab, including at least one woman member, to be nominated by the Speaker of the Assembly;

(e) Chairperson of the Higher Education Commission or his nominee;

(f) Chairperson of the Punjab Higher Education Commission or his nominee;

(g) Vice-Chancellor of a public sector University in the Punjab nominated by the Chancellor;

(h) Secretary to the Government, Higher Education Department or his nominee not below the rank of Additional Secretary; and

(i) Vice-Chancellor.

(2) The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company shall be the Chairperson of the Board and the Vice-Chancellor shall be the Secretary of the Board.

(3) Members of the Board other than ex-officio members shall hold office for a term of three years.

(4) The quorum for a meeting of the Board shall be one-half of the total number of members.

(5) The Secretary shall, with the approval of the Chairperson of the Board, call a meeting of the Board.

(6) The Company may fill a casual vacancy occurring because of the death or resignation of a member of the Board nominated by the Company to the extent of the remainder of the term of the former member.

19. Powers and duties of the Board.– (1) The administration and management of the affairs of the University shall vest in the Board.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the aforesaid power, the Board may:

(a) formulate or approve the principles, policies and plans governing the activities and operations of the University so as to facilitate research, teaching and other academic work;

(b) recommend the draft statutes to the Chancellor;

(d) create a component of the University such as Faculty, department, constituent college or University, subject to the provisions of this Act;

(e) constitute a committee, council and any other administrative or academic advisory body;

(f) create such academic or administrative posts as it may deem necessary and to approve appointments to such posts as it may specify;

(g) hold, control and administer the property, funds and resources of the University and raise funds for the purpose of the University upon such security as may be required under the regulations;

(h) undertake the responsibility for the financial viability of the University including responsibility for ensuring effectiveness of its operations, their continuity and preservation of the autonomy of the University;

(i) consider and approve, through a resolution, the annual report, plan of work, statement of accounts and the annual budget estimates;

(j) call for and consider reports relating to the activities of the University and may direct the Vice-Chancellor to furnish information relating to any matter specified by the Board; and

(k) take all such initiatives as it may consider necessary or desirable for efficient and effective management and functioning of the University.

(3) The Board shall recommend the draft statutes to the Chancellor but the statutes shall come into force when approved by him.

20. Business of the Board.– (1) The meetings and business of the Board shall be conducted in such manner and in accordance with such procedure as may be prescribed in the regulations and until so prescribed, as may be determined by the Board.

(2) The statutes recommended, regulations framed or proceedings of the Board shall not be invalid by reason of any vacancy or defect in the constitution of the Board.

21. Delegation of powers.– (1) Subject to subsection (2), the Board may delegate any of its powers or functions to a person or committee of the Board.

(2) The Board shall not delegate the power to:

(a) recommend the draft statutes or frame regulations;

(b) recommend any action to the Chancellor;

(d) approve annual budget and make consideration of audit reports.

22. Academic Council.– (1) The Academic Council shall consist of:

(a) Vice-Chancellor (Convener);

(b) all Deans;

(d) Controller of Examinations;

(e) all Professors of the University;

(f) nominee of the Secretary to the Government, Higher Education Department;

(g) two Associate Professors, two Assistant Professors and two Lecturers to be nominated by the Board;

(h) three persons eminent in the field of art or science of whom at least one shall be from each category, to be nominated by the Chancellor;

(i) Director Academics of the Commission or his nominee; and

(j) Registrar (Secretary).

(2) A nominated member shall hold office for a term of three years.

(3) The quorum for a meeting of the Academic Council shall be one-half of the total number of members of the Academic Council.

23. Powers and duties of Academic Council.– (1) The Academic Council shall be the academic body of the University and may, subject to the statutes, lay down proper standards of instruction, research, publication and examination and to regulate and promote the academic life of the University.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing powers and subject to the provisions of this Act, rules, statutes and regulations, the Academic Council may:

(a) advise the Board on academic matters;

(b) regulate the conduct of teaching, research and publication;

(d) regulate the conduct and discipline of the students of the University;

(e) propose to the Board, a scheme for the constitution and organization of faculties, teaching departments, constituent colleges and University;

(f) Consider or formulate proposals for the planning and development of teaching and research in the University;

(g) recommend to the Board, the regulations prescribing the courses of studies, the syllabi and outlines of tests for examinations;

(h) regulate the award of studentships, scholarships, exhibitions, medals and prizes;

(i) frame regulations for submission to the Board;

(j) appoint or nominate members to the various Authorities in accordance with the provisions of this Act; and

(k) perform such other functions as may be prescribed by the statutes.

24. Fund of the University.– (1) The Board shall establish a Fund to be known as Nexis University, Sialkot Fund which shall vest in the University and to which shall be credited all sums received by the University.

(2) The University may accept donations in the shape of land, vehicles, equipment or any other item that may facilitate the functioning of the University and all such donations shall be used, maintained and disposed of by the University in the prescribed manner.

25. Budget, audit and accounts.– (1) The budget of the University shall be approved and its accounts shall be maintained and audited in such manner as may be prescribed.

(2) The Board may approve the budget of the University, appropriation of accounts of the University and settle an audit para relating to the audit of the University.

26. Rules.– The Government may, by notification in the official gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act.

27. Statutes.– (1) Subject to this Act and the rules, the Board may recommend statutes to the Chancellor to provide for and to regulate any matter relevant to the University.

(2) The Chancellor may approve the statutes, with or without amendments, or refer the statutes back to the Board for reconsideration.

28. First Statutes.– Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Act, the statutes set out in the Schedule shall be deemed to be the statutes made under section 27 and shall continue to remain in force until amended or repealed in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

29. Regulations.– Subject to the rules and statutes, the Board may frame regulations for the proper administration and management of the affairs of the University.

30. Removal of difficulties.– If any difficulty arises in giving effect to any of the provisions of this Act, the Government may give such directions, not inconsistent with this Act, as it may consider necessary for the removal of such difficulty.

SCHEDULE

(see section 28)

THE FIRST STATUTES

1. Faculties.– (1) There shall be a Faculty for a teaching department or a group of teaching departments.

(2) The University shall include the following faculties and such other faculties as may be prescribed:

(a) Faculty of Science and Technology;

(b) Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

(d) Faculty of Law

(e) Faculty of Management Sciences

(f) Faculty of Public Relations;

(g) Faculty of Languages and Literature;

(h) Faculty of Information Technology and Computer Science;

(i) Faculty of Media and Mass Communication;

(j) Faculty of Strategic Planning; Entrepreneurship;

(k) Faculty of Public Health Sciences;

(l) Faculty of Science of Human Body and Mind;

(m) Faculty of Education; and

(n) Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management;

2. Board of Faculty.– (1) There shall be a Board of Faculty for each Faculty which shall consist of:

(a) Dean of the Faculty;

(b) Professors and the Chairpersons in the Faculty;

(c) two teachers to be nominated by the Academic Council for their specialized knowledge of the subjects which, though not assigned to the Faculty, have in the opinion of the Academic Council, important bearing on the subjects assigned to the Faculty;

(d) two experts in the field from outside the University to be appointed by the Board; and

(e) one member to be nominated by the Vice-Chancellor .

(2) The members other than ex-officio members of a Board of Faculty shall hold office for a period of three years.

(3) The quorum for a meeting of a Board of Faculty shall be one-half of the total number of members.

(4) A Board of Faculty, subject to the general control of the Academic Council and the Board, may:

(a) co-ordinate the teaching and research work in the subjects assigned to the Faculty;

(b) scrutinize the recommendations of the Board of Studies comprising a Faculty with regard to the appointment of paper-setters and examiners for graduate and postgraduate examinations and to forward the panels of suitable paper-setters and examiners for each examination to the Vice-Chancellor ;

(d) prepare a comprehensive annual report regarding the performance of each department or constituent Institute comprising the Faculty for presentation to the Academic Council; and

(e) perform such other functions as may be prescribed by statutes.

(5) The Dean of the Faculty shall be the convener of the Board of Faculty.

(6) The Dean shall be appointed by the Board from amongst three senior most Professors of the Faculty on the recommendations of the Vice-Chancellor and shall hold office for a period of three years and shall be eligible for reappointment.

(7) The Dean shall present candidates for admission to degree, except an honorary degree, courses falling within the purview of the Faculty.

(8) The Dean shall have such powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Board on the recommendations of the Vice-Chancellor.

3. Academic departments, constituent colleges and institutes.– (1) There shall be an academic department or constituent college for each subject or a group of subjects, as may be prescribed by the regulations and each academic department or constituent college shall be headed by a head of department or principal of the constituent college.

(2) The Board shall, on the recommendation of the Vice-Chancellor, appoint the Head of Department from amongst three senior most Professors other than the Professors already working as Dean for a period of three years and the Head of Department shall be eligible for reappointment:

Provided that in a department or constituent college where there are less than three eligible Professors, the appointment shall be made from amongst the three senior most Professors and Associate Professors of the department or constituent college.

(3) The Head of Department shall plan, organize and supervise the work of the department or constituent college and shall be responsible to the Dean for the work of his department, constituent college or institute.

(4) The Head of Department shall, under the general supervision of the Vice-Chancellor and Dean, exercise all the administrative, financial and academic powers and such other duties or powers as may be delegated to him.

(5) The Head of Department shall prepare a comprehensive annual report regarding the performance of the department or constituent college at the graduate and postgraduate levels, Faculty research and development and submit the report to the Dean for evaluation.

4. Board of Advanced Studies and Research.– (1) The Board of Advanced Studies and Research shall consist of:

(a) Vice-Chancellor (Convener);

(b) all Deans;

(d) one Professor of the University from each Faculty other than the Dean to be appointed by the Board;

(e) one member to be nominated by the Vice-Chancellor ;

(f) three members from the relevant field, research organizations and Government, to be nominated by the Board; and

(g) Registrar (Secretary).

(2) The term of office of the members of the Board of Advanced Studies and Research other than ex-officio members shall be three years.

(3) The quorum for a meeting of the Board of Advanced Studies and Research shall be one-half of the total number of members.

5. Functions of the Board of Advanced Studies and Research.– The Board of Advanced Studies and Research shall:

(a) advise an Authority on all matters connected with the promotion of advanced studies and research publication in the Institute;

(b) consider and report to an Authority with regard to a research degree of the University;

(d) appoint supervisors for a postgraduate research student and to approve the title and synopses of a thesis or dissertation;

(e) recommend panels of names of examiners for evaluation of a research examination; and

(f) perform such other functions as may be prescribed by the statutes.

6. Selection Board.– (1) The Selection Board shall consist of:

(a) Vice-Chancellor (Convener);

(b) Dean of the Faculty concerned;

(d) one member of the Board to be nominated by the Board;

(e) one eminent scholar to be nominated by the Company; and

(2) The Registrar shall be the Secretary of the Selection Board.

(3) The members other than ex-officio members shall hold office for a period of three years.

(4) Four members of the Selection Board shall constitute the quorum for a meeting of the Selection Board.

(5) No member who is a candidate or whose family member is a candidate, for a post to which appointment is to be made, shall take part in the proceedings of the Selection Board for selection of a candidate on such post.

(6) In selection of candidates for the post of Professor or Associate Professor, the Selection Board shall co-opt or consult three experts in the subject concerned and in selecting candidates for any other teaching post, two experts in the subject concerned, to be nominated by the Vice-Chancellor from a standing list of experts for each subject approved by the Board on the recommendation of the Selection Board.

(7) The Board may revise the standing list of experts of a subject on the recommendation of the Selection Board.

7. Functions of the Selection Board.– The Selection Board shall:

(a) consider the applications and recommend to the Board, the names of suitable candidates for appointment to teaching and other posts and recommend suitable salary for the selected candidate; and

(b) consider all cases of promotion or selection of officers of the University and recommend the names of suitable candidates for such promotion or selection to the Board.

8. Finance and Planning Committee.– (1) The Finance and Planning Committee shall consist of:

(a) Vice-Chancellor (Convener);

(b) all Deans;

(d) one member of the Board to be nominated by the Board;

(e) one member of the Academic Council to be nominated by the Academic Council;

(h) Registrar; and

(i) one nominee of the Company.

(2) The term of office of the nominated members shall be three years.

(3) Five members of the Finance and Planning Committee shall constitute the quorum for a meeting of the Finance and Planning Committee.

9. Functions of the Finance and Planning Committee.– The Finance and Planning Committee shall:

(a) prepare the annual statement of accounts and propose annual budget estimates and advise the Board thereon;

(b) review periodically the financial position of the University;

(d) perform such other functions as may be prescribed by the Statutes.

[1]This Act was passed by Provincial Assembly of the Punjab on 22 April 2025; assented to by the Governor of the Punjab on 02 May 2025; and was published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 02 May 2025, pages 4291-4303.