The GIFT University Gujranwala Act 2004

PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PUNJAB

N O T I F I C A T I O N

10 June 2004

No.PAP-Legis-2(1)/2004/629. The GIFT University, Gujranwala Bill 2004, having been passed by the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab on 27 May 2004, and assented to by the Governor of the Punjab on 7 June 2004, is hereby published as an Act of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab.

THE GIFT UNIVERSITY, GUJRALWALA ACT 2004

ACT XIV OF 2004

[First published, after having received the assent of the Governor of the Punjab,

in the Gazette of the Punjab (Extraordinary) dated 10 June 2004.]

Act

to provide for the establishment of the GIFT University, Gujranwala.

Preamble.– Whereas it is expedient to provide for the establishment of the GIFT University, Gujranwala in the private sector and matters connected therewith and ancillary thereto;

It is hereby enacted as follows:-

1. Short title and commencement.– (1) This Act may be called the GIFT University, Gujranwala Act, 2004.

(2) It shall come into force at once.

2. Definitions.– In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context–

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

(b) “Authority” means any of the Authorities of the University specified in section 12;

(d) “Chairperson of Department” means the Head of a teaching department;

(e) “Company” means the GIFT Educational (Private) Limited registered under the Companies Ordinance, 1984 (XLVII of 1984);

(f) “Dean” means the Chairman of the Board of a Faculty;

(g) “Faculty” means a faculty of the University;

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

(i) “Patron” means the Patron of the University;

(j) “Rector” means the Rector of the University;

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

(l) “Statutes”, “Regulations” and “Rules” mean respectively the Statutes, the Regulations and the Rules made or deemed to have been made under this Act; and

(m) “University” means the GIFT University, Gujranwala constituted under this Act.

3. Establishment of the University.– (1) There shall be established a University to be called the GIFT University, Gujranwala in the private sector with its campus located at Gujranwala.

(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.

4. Functions and powers of the University.– The functions and powers of the University shall be–

(a) to provide for instruction and training in –

(i) Computer Sciences, Business & Commerce, Management Sciences, Arts and Social Sciences, Accounting and Finance, Fine Arts, Design and Architecture; and

(ii) such other branches of learning as the Board may determine with the approval of the Patron given on the recommendation of a committee constituted by the Education Department:

Provided that in case of medical and engineering education, approval of the Pakistan Medical & Dental Council and Pakistan Engineering Council respectively shall be a pre-requisite;

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

(c) to hold examinations in a manner as may be determined by the Government 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 courses of studies;

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

(g) to decide teaching methods and strategies in order to ensure the most effective educational and training programs.

5. Jurisdiction.– (1) The jurisdiction of the University shall be restricted to the Province of the Punjab.

(2) The University shall not open any sub-campus or affiliate any other educational institution for a period of ten years from the commencement of this Act after which period it may have sub-campuses with the approval of the Patron.

6. Patron.– (1) The Governor of the Punjab shall be the Patron of the University.

(2) The Patron or his nominee shall preside at the convocations of the University.

(3) Every proposal to confer an honorary degree shall be subject to confirmation by the Patron.

(4) The Patron shall have the power to assent to the Statutes submitted to him by the Board or refer them back to the Board for reconsideration.

7. Inspection and inquiry.– (1) The Patron may cause an inspection or inquiry to be made in respect of any matter connected with the affairs of the University.

(2) The Patron shall communicate to the Board his views with regard to the result of the inspection or inquiry and shall, after ascertaining the views of the Board, advise the Board on the action to be taken by it.

(3) The Board shall, within such time as may be specified by the Patron, communicate to him such action as has been taken as a result of the inspection or inquiry.

(4) Where the Board does not, within the time specified, take action to the satisfaction of the Patron, the Patron may issue such directions as he thinks fit and the Board shall comply with all such directions.

(5) The Patron may, on the recommendation of a committee constituted by him and comprising a nominee of the Board, a Judge of the Lahore High Court to be nominated by the Chief Justice of the said Court and a Professor Emeritus or Vice Chancellor, take appropriate action against the University by appointing an administrator who shall exercise the powers of the Board to run the affairs of the University till such time as may be specified:

Provided that no action under sub-section (5) shall be taken unless the Chairman of the Board is afforded an opportunity of being heard.

(6) The Government may make Rules to give effect to the provisions of sub-section (5).

(7) The Patron shall have the authority to annul any decision or action of the Board, which he thinks was taken against the interest of academic excellence, religious and cultural ideology and national integrity.

8. Rector.– (1) The Rector shall be appointed by the Government who shall be an eminent scholar of national repute, on such terms and conditions as may be determined on the recommendations of the Board.

(2) The Rector shall perform such functions as are assigned to him by the Board.

9. Appointments.– The University may appoint such persons in its services as may be necessary on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Board.

10. University fund.– There shall be a fund to be known as the GIFT University, Gujranwala Fund which shall vest in the University and to which shall be credited all sums received by the University.

11. Budget, audit and accounts.– The budget of the University shall be approved and its accounts shall be maintained and audited in such manner as may be prescribed by the Board.

12. Authorities of the University.– The following shall be the Authorities of the University:-

(a) the Board of Governors;

(b) the Academic Council;

(d) the Board of Advanced Studies and Research;

(e) the Selection Board;

(f) the Finance and Planning Committee; and

(g) such other Authorities as may be prescribed by the Statutes and the Regulations.

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

(i) the Chairman of the Company;

(ii) members of the Board of Directors of the Company subject to a maximum of eight members;

(iii) the Chairman, Higher Education Commission or his nominee not below the rank of a Director;

(iv) a Vice Chancellor of a public sector University in the Punjab nominated by the Patron;

(v) the Rector; and

(vi) Secretary to Government of the Punjab, Education Department or his nominee not below the rank of Additional Secretary.

(2) The Chairman of the Company shall be the Chairman of the Board.

(3) The quorum for a meeting of the Board shall be one half of the total number of members, a fraction being counted as one; provided that at least two members shall be official members.

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

(2) The Board shall forward the draft of Statutes to the Patron for approval.

15. 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 these matters are prescribed, as may be determined by the Board.

(2) No Statute, Regulation or proceeding of the Board shall be invalid by reason of any vacancy or defect in the constitution of the Board.

16. Delegation of powers.– The Board may delegate to any person or a committee any of its powers, duties or functions.

17. Academic Council.– (1) The Academic Council shall consist of–

(i) the Rector (Chairman);

(ii) all the Deans;

(iii) all the Heads of the Departments/Institutes;

(iv) all Professors and Associate Professors of the University;

(v) nominee of the Secretary Education not below the rank of Deputy Secretary;

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

(vii) three persons eminent in the fields of arts and sciences of whom at least one shall be from each category, to be nominated by the Board;

(viii) Director Academic, Higher Education Commission; and

(ix) the Registrar (Member/Secretary).

(2) Members appointed by nomination shall hold office for three years.

(3) The quorum for a meeting of the Academic Council shall be one half of the total number of members, a fraction being counted as one.

18. Powers and duties of Academic Council.– (1) The Academic Council shall be the academic body of the University and shall, by the Statutes, have the powers to 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 and the Statutes, the Academic Council shall have the powers to–

(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, scheme for the constitution and organization of Faculties and teaching departments;

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

(g) make Regulations prescribing the courses of studies, the syllabi and the outlines of tests for all University examinations subject to approval of the Board;

(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.

19. Statutes.– Subject to the provisions of sub-section (6) of section 7 and section 21, Statutes may be made to provide for and to regulate any matter relevant to the University.

20. First Statutes.– Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Act, the Statutes set out in the Schedule appended to this Act shall be deemed to be the Statutes framed under section 19 of this Act and shall continue to remain in force until amended or repealed.

21. Regulations.– The Board may, by notification, make Regulations for the administration and management of the affairs of the University.

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

SCHEDULE

(See section 19)

THE FIRST STATUTES OF THE GIFT University, Gujranwala

1. Faculties.– There shall be a faculty for a teaching department or a group of teaching departments. The University shall include the following faculties and such other faculties as may be prescribed:-

(a) Faculty of Computer Sciences;

(b) Faculty of Business & Commerce;

(d) Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences;

(e) Faculty of Accounting & Finance; and

(f) Faculty of Fine Arts, Design and Architecture.

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

(a) the Dean of the Faculty;

(b) the Professors and the heads of the teaching departments in the Faculty;

(d) two teachers to be nominated by the Academic Council by reason of 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;

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

(f) one member to be nominated by the Rector.

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

(3) The quorum for a meeting of the Board of a Faculty shall be one half of the total number of members, a fraction being counted as one.

(4) The Board of each Faculty shall, subject to the general control of the Academic Council and the Board, have the powers to–

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

(ii) scrutinize the recommendations of the Boards of Studies comprising the 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 Rector;

(iii) consider any other academic matter relating to the Faculty and to submit its report to the Academic Council;

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

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

(5) There shall be a Dean of each Faculty who shall be the Chairman and Convener of the Board of Faculty.

(6) The Dean shall be appointed by the Board from amongst the three senior most Professors of the Faculty on the recommendation of the Rector 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 honorary degrees, 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 Rector.

3. Academic Departments and Heads of the Departments.– (1) There shall be an Academic Department for each subject or a group of subjects, as may be prescribed by the Regulations and each Academic Department shall be headed by a Head of Department.

(2) The Head of an Academic Department shall be appointed by the Board on the recommendations of the Rector from amongst three senior most Professors, other than a Professor already working as Dean, for a period of three years and shall be eligible for re-appointment; provided that in a department 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.

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

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

(5) The heads of the departments shall prepare a comprehensive annual report regarding the performance of department at the Graduate and Postgraduate levels, Faculty research and development and submit this report to the Dean of the Faculty for his evaluation.

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

(a) the Rector (Chairman);

(b) all the Deans;

(d) one member to be nominated by the Rector;

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

(f) the 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, a fraction being counted as one.

5. Functions of the Board of Advanced Studies and Research.– The functions of the Board of Advanced Studies and Research shall be to–

(a) advise the Authorities on all matters connected with the promotion of advanced studies and research publication in the University;

(b) consider and report to the Authorities of research degrees in the University;

(d) appoint supervisors for Postgraduate research students and to approve titles and synopsis of their thesis/dissertations;

(e) recommend panels of names of examiners for evaluation of their other research examinations; and

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

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

(a) the Rector (Chairman);

(b) the Dean of the Faculty concerned;

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

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

(f) one expert in the subject to be nominated by the Secretary to Government of the Punjab, Education Department.

(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) The quorum for a meeting of the Selection Board shall be four.

(5) No member who is a candidate for the posts to which appointment is to be made shall take part in the proceedings of the Selection Board.

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

7. Functions of the Selection Board.– The functions of the Selection Board shall be to–

(a) consider the applications and recommend to the Board of Governors the names of suitable candidates for appointment to teaching and other posts, as the case may be, and recommend suitable salary for the candidate concerned; 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) the Rector (Chairman);

(b) all the Deans;

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

(e) one representative each from Education Department and Finance Department of the Government of the Punjab not below the rank of Deputy Secretary;

(f) Director Planning, Higher Education Commission;

(g) the Registrar; and

(h) one nominee of the Board of Directors of the Company.

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

(3) The quorum for a meeting of the Finance and Planning Committee shall be five.

9. Functions of the Finance and Planning Committee.– The functions of the Finance and Planning Committee shall be to –

(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.

SAEED AHMAD

Acting Secretary