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By Nizamuddin Siddiqui KARACHI, July 8: The situation obtaining in the Dawood College of Engineering and Technology is far from satisfactory. The number of regular faculty members is very low and most of the laboratories and workshops are in such a bad shape that the students cannot do their practical work there. A visit to the college revealed on Saturday that at least two of the laboratories were currently under the control of the rangers. One of these laboratories is being used by the law-enforcing personnel as their sleeping chambers and the other as their dining hall or mess. The number of regular faculty members in the college's department of chemical engineering stands at four. As a result, much of the academic work is being taken care of by visiting faculty or contract teachers. More than 15 of the faculty members have gone on long leave, affecting the quality of teaching in all the institution's departments. Two of the departments, namely department of metallurgical engineering and department of industrial engineering, are being headed by one senior faculty member - Prof Salim Khan. This indicates a severe dearth of qualified faculty members. According to some teachers and students, things should have improved after the institution's affiliation with the Mehran University of Engineering and Technology. However, not much has been done in the academic areas since this affiliation. The students charge that no work has been done towards the improvement of the laboratories and workshops. They also claim that the acting principal, Dr Saleem Chaudhary, has failed to attract competent people who could teach at the college. About 30 per cent of the college's covered area is under the use of the rangers who have made it one of their biggest bases in Karachi. Ironically, despite their imposing presence, many equipment were stolen recently from the college's laboratories, specially its computer lab, they claim. The students say the most serious problem confronting the college today is the barring of some 110 students from examinations on the grounds of low attendance in classes. Some of these students, they claim, were barred from the examinations even though they had attended more classes than some "well-connected" people who were allowed to appear in the tests. An extension in the DCET's affiliation with Mehran University is long overdue but this it has still not been able to acquire despite sustained efforts, say the faculty members and students. When contacted on Saturday, the principal told Dawn that he had done all the necessary groundwork regarding the extension of affiliation with MUET. "We have already submitted an application for re-accreditation," Dr Chaudhary said. "This was done after we had completed all the requirements of our governing university," he claimed. "We have even submitted the fee of Rs20,000." He said he was hopeful that an extension would be granted soon. Dr Chaudhary said there was "perfect peace and order" in his institution. He claimed the students who had been forced to pay the outstanding college dues were making a lot of noises. "These people are the ones who have approached you with the assertion that our college is in doldrums." Giving an example, Dr Chaudhary said he had removed one individual from the position of controller of examinations who after his removal created a lot of problems for him and his college. "We are not supposed to have such a position. So I removed this gentleman by the name of N.A. Bhutto. "Believe me, the only reason for Mr Bhutto's removal was that we are not supposed to have a controller of examinations. But he has claimed again and again that I have victimized him." In response to a question, the DCET's principal acknowledged that his college's laboratories needed a lot of work. "I admit that we have not been able to improve our laboratories. "The main reason for this is lack of funds. Our grants are so small that we can pay the salaries only. We cannot do developmental work from this grant." Dr Chaudhary, who talked to Dawn in the presence of a senior faculty member, said he had recovered more than Rs3 million from students in outstanding dues. "This amount will be used for the betterment of the labs, I assure you." Asked whether he had plans to induct some regular faculty members, he said even though his hands were tied he would do his best. "You see I am not the appointing authority. I have contacted the concerned people and will keep doing so until some regular teachers are appointed." Dr Chaudhary said one problem confronting him was the objectionable practices of the student groups. "The political parties are behind some of these groups which have been flourishing over the years." He said the previous principals, instead of checking and controlling these groups, patronized them. "Now these groups have become a big problem. They are not ready to listen to reason and logic." The DCET's principal claimed some of the major problems facing the college today stemmed from the behaviour and attitude of these student groups.
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