Comsats University Islamabad (CUI) has terminated a lecturer who had asked an "objectionable" question in an English composition exam.
On February 2, the Comsats University administration wrote to the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) to inform them that an investigation of the quiz's content had been initiated. According to the letter, the Comsats University administration had already taken action and terminated the employment of the lecturer (visiting faculty) as of January 5, 2023. It further said that the lecturer had also been put on a blacklist.
It is pertinent to mention here that students of the Bachelor of Electric Engineering (BEE) were shocked when they came across the highly objectionable question asking them to write a 300-word essay on the topic.
Comsats University Additional Registrar Naveed Ahmed Khan confirmed that a "highly objectionable question" was asked to the students of the BEE English Composition paper.
According to Comsats University Additional Registrar Naveed Ahmed Khan, the rector called a meeting the next day and asked the faculty member to explain the motive behind asking students such a "stupid question." "The visiting faculty member acknowledged his mistake, and the CUI terminated his services," he added.
A faculty member raised concern over the examination system by asking why the issue could only be considered after the students brought it up. He questioned whether the lecturer had been fired after it came to the knowledge of the ministry.
On the condition of anonymity, a faculty member stated that the incident was highly shameful and exposed the university's examination system.
However, the Comsats University additional registrar said the faculty member was fired from his job on January 5, while the Ministry of Science and Technology took notice on January 19. The additional registrar further said that Comsats University’s reply was submitted to the Ministry of Science and Technology on February 2.