The Lahore Leads University Act, 2011 (Punjab Act No. III of 2011)

Updated: Tuesday April 29, 2014/AthThulatha Jamada El Thaniah 29, 1435/Mangalavara Vaisakha 09, 1936, at 03:02:35 PM

[1][1]The Lahore Leads University Act, 2011

(Act III of 2011)

[22 January 2011]

An Act to establish the Lahore Leads University.

Preamble.– Whereas it is expedient to provide for the establishment of the Lahore Leads University in the private sector and the connected matters;

It is enacted as follows:---

Chapter I

Preliminary

1. Short title and commencement.– (1) This Act may be cited as the Lahore Leads University Act, 2011.

(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 mentioned in section 16;

(d) “Chairperson” means the head of a teaching department, principal of a constituent college or director of an Institute;

(e) “Dean” means the head of a faculty of the University;

(f) “Department” means a teaching department of the University;

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

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

(i) “Institute” means an Institute established by the University;

(j) “Prescribed” means prescribed by rules, Statutes or regulations;

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

(l) “Schedule” means a Schedule appended to the Act;

(m) “Statutes”, “regulations” and “rules” mean respectively the Statutes, regulations and rules made or deemed to have been made under the Act;

(n) “teacher” includes a Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor Lecturer engaged whole time by the University and such other person as may be prescribed;

(o) “Treasurer” means the Treasurer of the University;

(p) “Trust” means the Leads Educator Welfare Trust, Lahore;

(q) “University” means the Lahore Leads University established under the Act; and

(r) “Vice Chancellor” means the Vice Chancellor of the University.

Chapter II

The University

3. Establishment of the University.– (1) The Government shall, by notification, establish a University to be called the Lahore Leads University in the private sector with its campus located at Lahore.

(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.

(3) The University shall consist of the following:---

(a) Chancellor;

(b) Chairman and members of the Board;

(d) Chairperson and Deans;

(e) members of an Authority;

(f) teachers and students of the University; and

(g) officers and members of the staff of the University.

4. Functions of the University.– The University shall:---

(a) provide for instructions and training in,---

(i) business administration, commerce, computer sciences, banking & finance; and

(ii) such other branches of knowledge, except medical, dental, allied health sciences or nursing education, as the Board may determine with the prior approval of the Chancellor, given on the recommendation of a committee constituted by the Government and, where applicable, subject to the prior approval of the relevant statutory body of a professional education;

(b) establish, maintain and administer a department, constituent college or Institute;

(d) prescribe and conduct courses of studies;

(e) hold examinations in the prescribed manner and, if a person qualifies the examination, award degree, diploma, certificate and other academic distinction to the person;

(f) prescribe the terms and conditions of employment of the officers, teachers and other employees of the University;

(g) engage, where necessary, a person on contract of specified duration and to specify the terms of the engagement;

(h) institute programs for the exchange of students and teachers between the University and any other university, educational institution or research organization;

(i) provide career counselling and job search services to students and alumni;

(j) maintain linkages with alumni;

(k) provide and support the academic development of the faculty of the University;

(l) confer degree on a person who has successfully conducted research in the prescribed manner;

(m) accept an examination and the period of study spent by a student of the University at any other university or place of learning equivalent to an examination or period of study of the University and may withdraw such acceptance;

(n) cooperate with a public authority, university or private organization in the manner and for the purpose as may be prescribed;

(o) institute Professorship, Associate Professorship, Assistant Professorship and Lectureship or any other post and may appoint a person to the post;

(p) create a post for research, extension, administration or other related purposes and may appoint a person to the post;

(q) institute and award financial assistance to students in need, fellowships, scholarships, bursaries, medals and prizes in the prescribed manner;

(r) provide for the residence of the students, establish and maintain halls of residence and approve or license a hostel, lodging or boarding place;

(s) maintain order, discipline and security in a campus of the University;

(t) promote the extra curricular and recreational activities of the students and make arrangements for promoting health and general welfare of the students;

(u) demand and receive such fees and other charges from the students as it may determine;

(v) make provision for research, advisory or consultancy services and enter into arrangements with any other institution, public or private body, commercial or industrial enterprise in the prescribed manner;

(w) receive and manage property transferred and grants, contributions made to the University and to invest any fund in the manner as it may deem fit;

(x) print and publish research or any other work; and

(y) perform any other prescribed or an ancillary function.

5. University open to all.– (1) The University shall not discriminate against any person solely on the basis of gender, religion, race, creed, colour or domicile.

(2) Subject to the reasonable restrictions as may be prescribed, the University shall be open to all persons and admissions to the University shall not be denied on the basis of gender, religion, race, creed, colour or domicile.

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

(2) Notwithstanding anything in sub-section (1), the University shall not open any sub-campus for a period of ten years from the date of coming into force of this Act.

(3) After the expiry of the period mentioned in sub-section (3), the Chancellor may allow opening of sub-campus subject to such conditions and limitations as he may determine.

Chapter III

Officers of the University

7. Officers of the University.- The following shall be the officers of the University:---

(a) Chancellor;

(b) Vice Chancellor;

(d) Chairpersons;

(e) Registrar;

(f) Treasurer;

(g) Controller of Examinations; and

(h) such other persons as may be so prescribed by the statutes or regulations.

8. Chancellor.– (1) The Governor of the Punjab shall be the Chancellor of the University.

(2) The Chancellor or his nominee shall preside at the convocation of the University.

(3) The University may confer an honorary degree with the prior approval of the Chancellor.

(4) In the performance of functions under this Act, the Chancellor shall act on the advice of the Chief Minister of the Punjab.

(5) The Chancellor may, within fifteen days of the advice in terms of sub-section (4), refer it back to the Chief Minister for reconsideration but he shall act in accordance with the advice tendered on reconsideration.

9. Inspection and Inquiry.– (1) The Chancellor may direct inspection or inquiry into the affairs of the University.

(2) The Chancellor shall convey his views with regard to the result of the inspection or inquiry to the Board and may, after ascertaining the views of the Board, recommend any remedial action to the Board.

(3) The Board shall, within the time specified by the Chancellor, submit a report to the Chancellor about the action taken on his recommendation.

(4) If the Board fails to take action to the satisfaction of the Chancellor within the specified time, the Chancellor may issue such directions as he thinks fit and the Board shall comply with the direction.

(5) The Chancellor 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 High Court and a Professor Emeritus or Vice Chancellor of any University, appoint an administrator, who shall exercise the powers of the Board under this Act for such period as may be specified by the Chancellor.

(6) The Chancellor shall not take any action under sub-section (5) unless the Chairman of the Board has been afforded an opportunity of hearing.

(7) The Chancellor may set aside a decision or action of the Board, which, in his opinion, is against the objectives of the University or against the interest of the academic excellence, religious or cultural ideology or national integrity.

10. Vice Chancellor.– (1) The Government, on the recommendation of the Search Committee nominated by it, shall appoint the Vice Chancellor, for a period of three years, on such terms and conditions as the Government may determine.

(2) The Vice Chancellor shall perform such functions as are given in the Act or as may be prescribed or as the Board may assign to him.

(3) The Vice Chancellor shall be the chief executive officer of the University and shall be responsible for its administrative and academic functions.

(4) The Vice Chancellor may attend a meeting of an authority or body of the University.

(5) Subject to the conditions as may be prescribed by the Board, the Vice Chancellor may, in an emergency, take an action which is not otherwise in the competence of the Vice Chancellor, and shall, within three days of taking of such action, submit a report of the action taken to the Chairman of the Board.

(6) Subject the general supervision and control of the Board, the Vice Chancellor may,---

(a) direct a teacher, officer or other employee of the University to take up such assignment in connection with examination, administration or any other activities in the University as he may consider necessary;

(b) sanction by re-appropriation an amount for an unforeseen not provided for in the budget of the University;

(d) suspend, punish or remove in accordance with prescribed procedure, an officer, teacher or employee of the University except those appointed by the Board;

(e) delegate, subject to the approval of the Board and on such conditions as may be prescribed, any of his powers to a teacher or an officer of the University; and

(f) exercise such other powers as may be prescribed.

(7) The Vice Chancellor shall prepare an annual report containing information as regards the preceding academic year including disclosure of all relevant facts pertaining to academics, research, administration and finances of the University.

11. Acting Vice Chancellor.– Subject to the conditions as may be prescribed, if the office of the Vice Chancellor is vacant, or the Vice Chancellor is absent or is unable to perform the functions of his office due to illness or some other cause, the Board shall make arrangements for the performance of the duties of the Vice Chancellor by any other person, as it may deem fit.

12. Registrar.– (1) The Board shall, on the recommendation of the Vice Chancellor, appoint the Registrar for a period of three years, on such terms and conditions as it may determine.

(2) The Board shall not appoint a person as Registrar unless he possesses the prescribed qualifications and experience.

(3) The Registrar shall be a full-time officer of the University and shall,---

(a) be the administrative head of the secretariat of the University and be responsible for the provision of secretariat support to the Board and the Vice Chancellor;

(b) be the custodian of the common seal and the academic records of the University;

(d) supervise the process of election, appointment or nomination of a member to an authority or body of the University in the prescribed manner; and

(e) perform such other duties as may be prescribed or as the Board may assign to him.

13. Controller of Examinations.– (1) The Board shall, on the recommendation of the Vice Chancellor, appoint the Controller of Examinations for a period of three years, on such terms and conditions as it may determine.

(2) The Board shall not appoint a person as Controller of Examinations unless he possesses the prescribed qualifications and experience.

(3) The Controller of Examinations shall be a full-time officer of the University and shall be responsible for all matters connected with the conduct of examinations and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed or as may be assigned to him by the Board.

14. Treasurer.– (1) The Board shall, on the recommendation of the Vice Chancellor, appoint a Treasurer for a period of three years, on such terms and conditions as it may determine.

(2) The Board shall not appoint a person as Treasurer unless he possesses the prescribed qualifications and experience.

(3) The Treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the University and shall,---

(a) manage the assets, liabilities, receipts, expenditures, funds and investments of the University;

(b) prepare the annual and revised budget estimates of the University and present the estimates to the Board;

(d) ensure that the accounts of the university are audited annually and are available for submission to the Board within six months of the end of a financial year; and

(e) perform such other functions as may be prescribed or as the Board may assign to him.

15. Appointments.– The University may, in the prescribed manner, appoint such persons in its service as may be necessary, on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed or as may be determined by the Board.

Chapter IV

Authorities of the University

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

(a) Board of Governors;

(b) Academic Council;

(d) Board of Advanced Studies and Research;

(e) Selection Board;

(f) Finance and Planning Committee; and

(g) any other Authority as may be prescribed by the Statutes or the regulations.

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

(a) the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Trust;

(b) members of the Trust subject to a maximum of eight members to be nominated by the Trust;

(d) three members of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab, to be nominated by the Speaker of the Assembly, including one woman member and one member from the opposition; provided that the member from the opposition shall be nominated in consultation with the Leader of the Opposition;

(e) the Vice Chancellor of a public sector university in the Punjab nominated by the Chancellor;

(f) Secretary to the Government, Education Department or his nominee not below the rank of Additional Secretary; and

(g) the Vice Chancellor.

(2) The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Trust shall be the Chairman of the Board and the Vice Chancellor shall be the Secretary of the Board.

(3) The members of the Board, other than ex-officio members, shall hold office for a term of three years and shall be eligible for re-appointment on the expiry of their term of office.

(4) The quorum for a meeting of the Board shall be one-half of the total number of members, with at least two ex-officio members.

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

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the aforesaid powers, the Board may,---

(a) formulate or approve the principles, policies and plans governing the activities and operations of the University so as to facilitate research, teaching and other academic work;

(b) make or approve regulations;

(d) create a component of the University such as faculty, department, institute or constituent college subject to the provisions of this Act;

(e) constitute a committee, council and any other administrative or academic advisory body;

(f) create such academic or administrative posts as it may deem necessary and to approve appointments to such posts as it may specify;

(g) hold, control and administer the property, funds and resources of the University and raise funds for the purpose of the University upon such security as may be required under the regulations;

(h) undertake the responsibility for the financial viability of the University including responsibility for ensuring effectiveness of its operations, their continuity and preservation of the autonomy of the University;

(i) consider and approve, through a resolution, the annual report, plan of work, statement of accounts and the annual budget estimates;

(j) call for and consider reports relating to the activities of the University and may direct the Vice Chancellor to furnish information relating to any matter specified by the Board; and

(k) take all such initiatives as it may consider necessary or desirable for the efficient and effective management and functioning of the University.

19. 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) The Statutes, regulation or proceeding of the Board shall not be invalid by reason of any vacancy or defect in the constitution of the Board.

20. Delegation of powers.– The Board may, subject to such conditions as it may determine, delegate any of its powers or functions to an officer or a committee of the Board.

21. Academic Council.– (1) The Academic Council shall consist of,---

(a) Vice Chancellor (Chairman);

(b) all the Deans;

(d) all the Professors of the University;

(e) a nominee of the Secretary to the Government, Education Department not below the rank of Deputy Secretary;

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

(g) three persons eminent in the field of art and science of whom at least one shall be from each category, to be nominated by the Board;

(h) Director Academics of the Higher Education Commission; and

(i) Registrar (Secretary).

(2) A nominate member shall hold office for a period of three years.

(3) The quorum for a meeting of the Academic Council shall be one-half of the total number of members of the Academic Council.

22. Powers and duties of Academic Council.– (1) The Academic Council shall be the academic body of the University and may, subject to the Statutes, 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, rules, Statutes and regulations, the Academic Council may,---

(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, teaching departments and constituent colleges and University;

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

(g) recommend regulations prescribing the courses of studies, the syllabi and the outlines of tests for the University examinations to 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.

Chapter V

Financial Provisions

23. University Fund.– (1) The University shall establish a fund to be known as the Lahore Leads University Fund which shall vest in the University and to which shall be credited all sums received by the University.

(2) The University may accept donations in the shape of land, vehicle, equipment or any other item that may facilitate the functioning of the University and all such donations shall be used, maintained and disposed of by the University in the prescribed manner.

24. Budget, audit and accounts.– (1) The budget of the University shall be approved and its accounts shall be maintained and audited in such manner as may be prescribed and, until so prescribed, as may be determined by the Board.

(2) The Board may approve the budget of the University, appropriations of accounts of the University and settle an audit para relating to the audit of the University.

(3) The Board may, on such conditions as it may determine, delegate the power of appropriation or re-appropriation of funds upon an officer of the University.

Chapter VI

Miscellaneous

25. Rules.– The Government may, by notification, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act.

26. Statutes.– (1) Subject to this Act and the rules, the Chancellor may, on the recommendation of the Board, approve statutes, with or without amendments, or may refer the statutes back to the Board for reconsideration.

(2) The statutes shall come into force after the approval of the Chancellor.

27. First Statutes.– Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Act, the Statutes set out in the Schedule shall be deemed to be the Statutes made under section 26 and shall continue to remain in force until amended or repealed in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

28. Regulations.– Subject to this Act, the rules and the statutes, the Board may make regulations for the proper administration and management of the affairs of the University.

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

Schedule

(see section 27)

The First Statutes

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 Business Administration which includes Master of Business Administration (Professional), Master of Business Administration (Executive), Bachelor of Business Administration Development and Management of Human Resource, Management of Environmental Problems and Conditions;

(b) faculty of Commerce which includes Master of Commerce, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Commerce (Hons), Master in Economics, Master in Statistics;

(c) faculty of Computer Sciences which includes Master of Computer Sciences, Bachelor of Computer Sciences (Hons), Master of Information Technology, Bachelor of Information Technology; and

(d) faculty of Banking and Finance which includes Master of Banking and Finance, Bachelor of Banking and Finance, BBA (Hons) Banking and Finance, MBA Banking and Finance, BBA (Hons) Insurance and Risk Management and MBA Insurance and Risk Management.

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

(a) Dean of the faculty;

(b) Professors and the Chairpersons in the faculty;

(d) two teachers to be nominated by the Academic Council owing to 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; and

(f) one member to be nominated by the Vice Chancellor.

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

(3) The quorum for a meeting of a Board of Faculty shall be one-half of the total number of members.

(4) A Board of Faculty, subject to the general control of the Academic Council and the Board, may,---

(a) co-ordinate the teaching and research work in the subjects assigned to the faculty;

(b) scrutinize the recommendations of a Board of Studies comprising a 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 Vice Chancellor;

(d) prepare a comprehensive annual report regarding the performance of each department or constituent college comprising the faculty for presentation to the Academic Council; and

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

(5) The Dean of the faculty shall be the 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 recommendations of the Vice Chancellor and shall hold office for a period of three years and shall be eligible for re-appointment.

(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 or as may be assigned by the Board on the recommendations of the Vice Chancellor.

3. Academic department, constituent college and Institute.– (1) There shall be an academic department or constituent college for each subject or a group of subjects, as may be prescribed by the regulations and each academic department or constituent college shall be headed by a head of department or principal of the constituent college, called the Chairperson.

(2) The Board shall, on the recommendations of the Vice Chancellor, appoint the Chairperson from amongst three senior most Professors other than a Professor already working as Dean for a period of three years and Chairperson shall be eligible for re-appointment; provided that if in a department or constituent college 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 or constituent college.

(3) The Chairperson shall plan, organize and supervise the work of the department, constituent college or Institute and shall be responsible to the Dean for the work of his department, constituent college or Institute.

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

(5) The Chairperson shall prepare a comprehensive annual report regarding the performance of the department or constitute college 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) Vice Chancellor (Chairman);

(b) all the Deans;

(d) one Professor of the University from each faculty other than the Dean to be appointed by the Board;

(e) one member to be nominated by the Vice Chancellor;

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

(g) 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.

5. Functions of the Board of Advanced Studies and Research.– (1) The Board of Advanced Studies and Research shall,---

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

(b) consider and report to an Authority with regard to a research degree of the University;

(d) appoint supervisors for a postgraduate research student and to approve title and synopsis of a thesis/dissertation;

(e) recommend panels of names of examiners for evaluation of a research examination; and

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

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

(a) Vice Chancellor (Chairman);

(b) Dean of the faculty concerned;

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

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

(f) one expert in the subject to be nominated by the Secretary to Government, 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 four members of the Selection Board shall constitute the quorum for a meeting of the Selection Board.

(5) No member, who is a candidate or whose family member is a candidate, for a post to which appointment is to be made, shall take part in the proceedings of the Selection Board for selection of a candidate for such post.

(6) In selection of candidates for the post of a Professor, Associate Professor, 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 Vice Chancellor from a standing list of experts for each subject approved by the Board on the recommendation of the Selection Board.

(7) The Board may revise the standing list of experts of a subject on the recommendation of the Selection Board.

7. Functions of the Selection Board.– The Selection Board shall,---

(a) consider the applications and recommend to the Board, the names of suitable candidates for appointment to teaching and other posts and recommend suitable salary for the selected 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) Vice Chancellor (Chairman);

(b) all the Deans;

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

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

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

(g) Director Planning of the Higher Education Commission;

(h) Registrar; and

(i) one nominee of the Trust.

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

(3) Five members of the Finance and Planning Committee shall constitute the quorum for a meeting of the Finance and Planning Committee.

9. Functions of the Finance and Planning Committee.– The Finance and Planning Committee shall,--

(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.

[1][1]This Act was passed by the Punjab Assembly on 12 January 2011; assented to by the Governor of the Punjab on 21 January 2011; and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 22 January 2011, pages 2705-2715.