Appointment of varsity chancellor raises eyebrows

KABUL (Pajhwok): The University Teachers’ Association (UTA), raising objections to the hiring of Taliban members to key posts, has asked the group’s leadership to reconsider recent appointments to academic positions.

The Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) recently appointed new acting officials to senior-level posts in different state-run universities.

One of these appointees is Ashraf Ghairat, who has been made the Kabul University chancellor.

People on social media and mainstream news organisations hit out at Ghairat’s appointment as chancellor of the prestigious university.

Critics argue Ghairat is not qualified to hold the chancellor post. He is a graduate while his predecessor was a PHD scholar.

The Kabul University administration, however, said former chancellor Mohammad Usman Babari had decided to leave the country.

It says that is why Ghairat has been appointed as acting chancellor.

UTA members asked the Taliban to respect educational institutes and appoint qualified and experienced people to key posts in universities.

nh/mud

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