Strategizing Strategic Plan

The good news of the week is about strategic thinking and strategic planning at IIUI. For those who know about the functions, procedures and decision making processes of IIUI, this is a breaking news and to be candid, somewhat difficult to digest as well! In IIUI everything is tactical and adhoc and we hardly see "policies" determining "actions" of administration and faculty. Though strategic planning is increasingly becoming a buzz word in IIUI's day to day business life but hardly anyone knows about the scope and implications of strategic planning. We have read about the latest movement in this regard and this time a new team is leading this process. Previously, we have seen many unsuccessful attempts towards building a long term strategic vision of IIUI and the last initiative was during Dr. Ghazi's tenure when Mr. Athar Zaidi was entrusted with this task and he was trying to fix faculty members through his innovative means, of course with the support of some faculty members too! Even before that another imported talent in the university (Dr. S M Hasan) was responsible for this task but we could not see any outcome.

By its design and structure, the latest attempt to build a strategic vision and planning for IIUI looks a continuation of earlier failed attempts. We have no reasons to cast doubts about the capabilities and skills of the team which is now leading this process. However, we'll here refer back to our consistent argument on this blog and that's about institutional character and institutional memories. Strategic planning is not merely a technical task which some technocrats can perform in isolation without getting fully rooted in the culture and traditions of an institution. IIUI has a history and its future is closely linked with its institutional character and capabilities. These insights cannot be simply communicated to a group of short term contractual appointees who are responsible for this crucial task. They can produce an excellent strategic vision for IIUI by all means but what next? Where are our earlier 10 years, 15 years and long term plans developed over the periods? Are we following those plans when we go for massive expansion of teaching programs and faculties and administration? Where do a medical college and 500 bed teaching hospital fit in those plans which our president is very keen to start? Of course nowhere! And the reason is simple. Those programs were lacking institutional support and could not be ultimately stored in institutional memory. We have every reason to believe that the latest attempt would also face the same consequences unless both the process and contents are going to be different this time.

By process we mean nothing but a true spirit of consultation across the board. But this consultation should not be formal and controlled. Our standard consultation practice is confined to a vertical communication in the form of command of high administration. We distribute forms and ask for immediate feedback and that's our consultation. We know that it does not happen like this. It should be rather an enabling process. If you are communicating in the same language and jargon with Usuluddin/Arabic/Shariah and Computer Sciences and Engineering then your methodology is flawed. In a system where many people cannot simply appreciate difference between strategic and tactical matters, if you are taking them for granted then you are wrong.

In terms of contents, there are number of serious issues which we should decide at IIUI before adopting a strategic vision. There are all sorts of issues such as:

• Are we still comfortable with our "international" and "Islamic" outlook or we should move away from optics to content. We are not putting any agenda on the table here but there are issues around and we should honestly and candidly consider them.


• What is our understanding about IIUI as a university and educational institution? Is it going to be just another mainstream educational institution like many others in Pakistan or we want to be approached differently given our character preserved in governing statute. This question is important to consider because there is a clear dichotomy between what we "did" and what we are "doing". In other words there is a historical construction of institutional character and then there is a "new" university which is expanding massively in several areas without considering the crucial questions of specialization and scope. We can see a clear dissent and sense of dissatisfaction in the campus about issues related to this problem. If we want to be just another university then the matters such as co-education, new programs and comparative advantage would be dealt altogether in a different way. But, if we are still an institution within the parameters of our governing law and earlier traditions then we need to seriously reconsider our expansion polices, new programs and future dimensions.

If we are not ready to address these issues through strategic planning then the whole process is futile. Having ten more departments, fifty MoUs, a fleet of 200 buses, spacious car parking areas, a few more blocks and soaring students' population, are not strategic matters by any definition. If we are true in our intentions then let's talk about real the issues.

Change in HEC

Quantum note

By Dr Muzaffar Iqbal

The News, Friday, October 24, 2008, http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=142731

The resignation of Dr Ataur Rehman from the Higher Education Commission is like putting a bandage on a broken bone. Dr Rehman's removal does little to address the fiasco created by Gen Pervez Musharraf, who had himself bypassed all laws of the land to become chief executive of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Who knows how the General decided to establish the Higher Education Commission (HEC) in September 2002 through his Ordinance (No. LIII), but we all know that Dr Rehman became the blue-eyed boy of the general. This can be judged from the fact that often the commission seemed to enjoy authority which was greater than even that of the ministry of education.

Inherent in the very establishment of the HEC were all the problems of superstructures and super-performers: such institutions assume that the slow, organic process of institutional development in the country has no meaning whatsoever and that one man (or woman) has all the wisdom it needs to work wonders. A superstructure is also established to bypass and divert resources from existing governing bodies of the state; it creates outrageous benefits for some, it treats the employees of the existing institutions as second-class citizens, and it creates frustration and despair in the hearts and minds of those who cannot board the new boat. All of these ills were born with the HEC.

Nothing speaks more than facts, hence if one were to objectively see the wonders worked by the HEC chairman in six years, all one has to do is look at the state of higher education before and after the commission's inception. If one wants to actually see where the missing billions went, one only has to get the actual amount spent on foreign tours from the accounts of the HEC. But such objective analysis of the functioning of the commission is unlikely to happen because we live in a culture where covering up each other's tracks is a norm, but one must hope that there is some accountability in this case because we are talking about huge sums (an amount of Rs26 billion has been quoted in this newspaper, in fact).

The issue, however, is not merely one man's performance, or the lack of it. The real issue is the mindset that created the HEC and gave its chairman draconian powers to do what he wished. Behind these issues is the issue of criteria of judging. In his rejoinder to Dr A Q Khan's comments on his years at the HEC, Dr Rehman has listed his achievements and supported them with reports from USAID report, the British magazine Nature, the World Bank, the British Council, and other foreign organisations. That, in itself, is indicative of a colonial mindset: the stamp of approval is coming from the white man.

As someone who was partly instrumental in Dr Ataur Rehman's coming to Islamabad's power circuit in 1996 (for details see The News, April 4, 2008), and who knows firsthand how the good doctor influenced the young section editor (of Pakistani origin) at Nature through his adviser, Anwar Nasim, I can say with the full force of truth that that article, as well as other stamps of approval, have little meaning. All one has to do is invite a foreigner to Pakistan and charm him or her. It takes little effort if one is already working for an agenda that foreigners like. In fact, the more praise one hears of a programme or a person from the mouth of those who want to see Pakistan transformed in their own image, the more doubtful one becomes of the programme and the person.

Thus, beyond the ambiguous reports of financial mismanagement, we must look at some glaring facts: (i) Dr Rehman worked for the same "vision" of Pakistan that Gen Musharraf: a Pakistan that supports the American agenda of a radical transformation of our society from its Islamic roots towards a modern, westernised society. (ii) Dr Rehman loved to promote himself. The day he arrived at Comstech he opened his briefcase and asked the secretary to fax pages of a document called "Achievements of Dr Attaur Rehman" to 56 Muslim states. On that day, he also instructed the driver to put a flag on his car. (The flag obsession is also mentioned by Dr A Q Khan in his article.) (iii) There is a tendency of overstating, glamorising so-called achievements: I have a news clip in my files from Dawn of April 8, 1998, which quotes the coordinator general of Comstech as saying at a meeting that efforts had been initiated to raise "$5 billion in the next three years for fostering research in science and technology."

The fact that these funds did not materialize is not the point apparently because what he said was obviously good for publicity. (iv) There is truth in the argument that he acquired the position of coordinator-general of Comstech in a manner that was not entirely ethical given that he was part of the selection committee established by President Farooq Leghari on May 31, 1996. I know this because I had suggested his name to the president and because I was the convener of that committee. (v) Dr Rehman has held on to that position for over 12 years now and one only has to inquire what became of the intention to raise five billion dollars.The fact is that Dr Rehman shows no understanding of the ground realities of Pakistanis society. This lack of understanding of the social implications of technology is part of a bigger problem of lack of any grounding in the social and human sciences as well as a near-total unfamiliarity with the Islamic intellectual tradition.

(To be concluded)

The writer is a freelance columnist. Email: quantumnotes@gmail.com

Workshop on "Strategic Planning" at IIUI

IIUI to enhance cooperation with international Organizations.
From: http://www.iiu.edu.pk/News/october_08.html#lci

The Strategic planning cell (SPC) of the International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI) organized a workshop about future vision of the university which was attended by the University Rector, Dr. Manzoor Ahmed, President Dr. Anwar Hussain Siddiqui, Vice president Dr. Khalifa Hassan, Deans, Directors, and the chairpersons of various faculties and departments. Dr. Abdul Majeed, Director SPC and Dr. Ahmed S Syed, Member SPC made presentations on strategic planning at IIUI.

The presentations were focused on the concept of strategic planning in the universities, role and need of SPC at IIUI and future requirements of the university. Describing the scope and sphere of activities of SPC, the participants of the workshop were also briefed on the work done so far by SPC since its inception in May, 2008. This included the work done on the university's mega funding proposal (taking care of existing and futuristic requirements of university's academic needs for next 5 years), newly established international linkages with Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand, MIMOS, Malaysia, CERN, and US Universities (State University of New York, Michigan State University, Stanford University and Kent State University). The long-term vision of IIUI and other related projects such as university's technology park and branch-out campus were also discussed in the workshop.

The presentations were followed by an open house session, where the participants shared their thoughts, comments and observations. The worthy president, Dr. Anwar Hussain Siddiqui also shared his thoughts and comments on the very concept of strategic planning in the universities. He further advised the SPC team to continue working on the projects with similar pace, and in coordination with other planning related segments of the university.

The Rector, Dr. Manzoor Ahmed appreciated the work done by SPC and congratulated the team on the commendable performance. The Rector also urged the faculty to come forward with their research proposals and join hands with SPC which would remain as a permanent feature of the university, and act as focal point to various funding and planning agencies within the country and worldwide.

Pakistan's science reformer steps down

By A. A. Khan
20 October 2008, From: http://www.scidev.net/en/south-asia/news/pakistan-s-science-reformer-steps-down.html

[ISLAMABAD] Atta-ur-Rahman resigned as chairman of Pakistan's Higher Education Commission (HEC) last week (9 October), apparently over a lack of funding for science and education.

The scientist is credited with reforming the country's science and technology (S&T) sector, and academics see his resignation as a serious threat to the continuity of more than 400 projects he put in place at the HEC.

Atta-ur-Rahman was appointed as HEC chairman in 2002 and brought the higher education budget from 400 million Pakistani rupees (around US$4.9 million) in 2002 to around US$220 million now.

Atta-ur-Rahman exercised his maximum influence in the government of Pervez Musharraf, who resigned in August this year. He was minister for science and technology from 2000–2002, during which time he secured massive increases in S&T spending. He also secured around US$151 million in a recent budget for S&T university research.

Before resigning, Atta-ur-Rahman had openly voiced concerns over cuts to already-approved funds for scientific research projects, including setting up international S&T universities.

The government gave the HEC only US$32 million of US$56 million allocated for 284 approved projects in the first quarter of this financial year. Two hundred and fifty projects could be stopped due to lack of funds, and the HEC has formally asked all universities to defer their development projects, according to an HEC document.

The vice chancellors and rectors of the leading public sector universities expressed grave concern over the budget cuts at a meeting held in July in Islamabad, and decided to take the matter to the prime minister. Atta-ur-Rahman, presiding the meeting, advised them to generate their own resources instead of solely relying on government grants.

The coalition government, headed by the Pakistan People's Party, which came to power after the February 2008 election, has yet to announce any S&T policies, with the economy and law and order being its top priorities.

The Nation newspaper has reported that Atta was forced to resign under mounting pressure from the new government.

Atta-ur-Rahman says his resignation is for personal reasons, and declined to comment further, but confirmed to SciDev.Net that the HEC is undergoing financial cutbacks.

"It is an unbearable loss for science and higher education in the country. Science and technology does not appear to be on the government's agenda as there is no science minister in the cabinet," Razina Alam Khan, chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Science, Technology and Education told SciDev.Net.

"It would be premature to term his resignation good or bad for science and education in the country. It depends on what kind of person we get in his place," says Pervez Hoodbhoy, a physicist and a prominent critic of Atta. He views his resignation as linked to the change in political regime.

The government has yet not appointed Atta-ur-Rahman's replacement.

IIUI to open 500-bed hospital

ISLAMABAD -
The Nation, http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Regional/Islamabad/12-Oct-2008/IIUI-to-open-500bed-hospital

A six members Moroccan Delegation under the Pak-Morocco joint ministerial Programme visited the International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI) here on Saturday.

The delegation was headed by Abdul Wahed Bendoud, Director of traditional Education, Naeer Bousba, Head of the Division of Cooperation and Communication, Abdellah Irid, Head of the Division of Management of Mosques Directorates, Ciaay Abdel Kaber, Head of the Division of Agriculture Affairs in the Religious Endowments Directorate, Moyiddhn Dadr, Incharge of Studies in the General Secretariat and Atif Ahmed of the Civil Secretariat of Morocco.

Speaking on the occasion, the President IIUI Dr Anwar Hussain Siddiqui, and Dr Khalifa Hassan, Vice President IIUI informed the delegation about the 28-year academic march of IIUI.

They said that the University was established to cope with modern day challenges by providing both traditional as well as contemporary education in all fields.

They informed that the university was planning to open its own medical college soon with 500-bed hospital.The Moroccan delegation expressed its happiness over IIUI’s progress and termed it as proud for Moroccan people as well as the whole Muslim world.

They offered IIUI academic cooperation from Moroccan universities and institutions. The delegation also took a round of the Central library of IIUI, Islamic Research Institute library, Women campus and Faculty of Management sciences. Dr. Muhammad Zia ul Haq of the Faculty of Shariah and Law of IIUI presented a documentary on the occasion.

Dr Atta-ur Rehman resigns as HEC Chairman

ISLAMABAD, Oct 9 (APP):

From: Associate Press of Pakistan

Dr Atta-ur Rehman Thursday resigned from the offices of Chairman Higher Education Commission. The spokesperson of the HEC also confirmed his resignation and said that no one has yet been appointed in his place.

Prof Dr Atta-ur-Rahman, TI, SI HI, NI, is a leading scientist and scholar in the field of organic chemistry with over 700 publications in the field of his expertise.

He has also the credit to revive the higher education system and research activities in Pakistan.
At present, Dr Atta-ur Rehman holds different positions including Director of H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry at Karachi University, Coordinator General of COMSTECH and Chairman, Higher Education Commission with the status of federal minister.

He had been conferred on different awards in recognition of his eminent contributions in the field of Organic Chemistry including Nishan-e-Imtiaz (2002), Hilal-e-Imtiaz (1998), Sitara-e-Imtiaz (1991) and Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (1983).

Besides this, he also achieved Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold with Sash for Services to the Republic of Austria, Honorary Doctor of Education honoris causa (Coventry University,UK) (2007), ISESCO Prize (2001), ECO Prize (2000), First Muslim scientist to receive the UNESCO Science Prize (1999), Federation of Asian Chemical Societies Award, Hiroshima, Japan (1997), First Prize at the 6th Kharazmi Festival in Iran (1993), The Islamic Organization Prize by Government of Kuwait (1988) and Honorary Doctorate of Science (Sc.D) from University of Cambridge (1987).

CREEPING CRISIS FOR MUSLIMS; DIAGNOSIS & REMEDIES

LEARNING EYE Academic Staff Association International Islamic University is holding a talk/discussion on:

CREEPING CRISIS FOR MUSLIMS; DIAGNOSIS & REMEDIES
The talk will be delivered by Dr. Manzoor Ahmad, Rector IIUI

There is no second opinion that Muslims, for the last few centuries, are in crisis which encompasses intellectual, social, economic & religious spheres to the extent that it seems that the whole fabric of the Muslim entity is at stake. Every passing day begets new & unprecedented addition to the existing state of affairs.

Since the inception of the crisis, Muslim mind is endeavoring to react, analyze, adjust, adopt, adapt or synchronize itself with the off-shoots of this crisis. Of these endeavors, we see that varied & diversified approaches are in vogue e.g. Some seek refuge in the glories of the past suggesting that either this crisis does not prevail or it will disappear automatically with the passage of time, a few others try to provide tailor made solutions, still others put emphasis on the dire need of internal reformation.

The questions that arise from the proposed theme are not only numerous in number but they are pinching too; what are the causes of this crisis? Why Muslims have been unable to address it properly? Are our efforts limited to the symptoms? Does our blaming & complaining attitude yield results? What do Muslim lack in the presence of so many remedies? Have we been unable to grasp the modern sensibilities? Or have we been unable to comprehend Islam in the contemporary context? Why our efforts have been a failure or even counterproductive?

You are requested to contribute in this Talk/discussion session with the best you have; be it a precise question, an opinion, a reading or a thought process. We are ‘Learning Eye’ committed & open to all that “which is for the good of mankind (& hence) remains on earth” (Quran: 13/17)

The lingua franca of the talk/discussion would be either English or Urdu or both.

The schedule of the program is as followed:

Day: Saturday,
Date: 11th October 2008
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Venue: Seminar Room, Central Library IIU H-10 Sector Islamabad

For more information please contact:

Inam ul Haq Ghazi
Tel. 051-9019607
Email: ighazi@iiu.edu.pk

Islamic Economics: An Alternative Perspective-III

We have earlier posted here the link of articles which are published in Monthly "Al-Shariah" Gujranwala. The last article in the series is published this month and we are sharing its link again with an aim to initiate a debate on such topics which are core areas of specialization of International Islamic University. We hope that our readers will get back with their comments and views.

Here is the link:

http://www.alsharia.org/articles/monthly_alsharia/2008/Oct08/islamiMuashiat_zahidSiddique.html