Karachi University Vice Chancellor: Dr Tufail Jokhio Takes Interim Charge

Prof Dr Muhammad Tufail Jokhio has officially assumed additional responsibilities as the Karachi University Vice Chancellor, taking over the role on an interim basis following the completion of Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi’s tenure. The appointment will remain effective until the Sindh government announces a permanent vice chancellor for the University of Karachi.

According to Dawn, the transition marks a significant administrative change at one of Pakistan’s largest public-sector universities at a time when the institution faces financial and governance challenges. Faculty members and university employees have expressed hope that the new leadership will help address long-standing issues affecting the university.

Dr Muhammad Tufail Jokhio Assumes Interim Leadership

Prof Dr Muhammad Tufail Jokhio, who currently serves as Vice Chancellor of NED University of Engineering and Technology, formally took charge of the University of Karachi on Tuesday in addition to his existing responsibilities.

His appointment follows the conclusion of Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi’s four-year tenure on Monday. Dr Iraqi first led the university in an acting capacity in 2019 before being appointed as the regular vice chancellor in 2022.

The Sindh government’s decision to appoint an interim vice chancellor comes while the process of selecting a permanent head for the university continues.

Transition Comes Amid Financial and Administrative Challenges

The leadership change has been welcomed by both teaching and non-teaching employees, many of whom believe the university requires urgent administrative and financial reforms.

The Karachi University Teachers’ Society (KUTS) said it hopes the incoming administration will prioritise unresolved issues affecting university employees.

According to KUTS President Dr Syed Ghufran Alam, outstanding payments owed to teaching and non-teaching staff require immediate attention. He also stated that the university needs financial assistance from the provincial government and accountability regarding administrative decisions made over recent years.

The teachers’ body further urged authorities to ensure that the appointment of a permanent vice chancellor is made on merit without unnecessary delays.

Non-Teaching Employees Observe “Youm-i-Tashakkur”

On Monday, a coalition representing non-teaching employees organised a gathering outside the university’s administrative block to observe what they described as “Youm-i-Tashakkur” following the departure of the outgoing vice chancellor.

The event was arranged by an alliance representing several employee organisations.

During the gathering, representatives welcomed the government’s decision not to extend Prof Iraqi’s tenure and called for a financial bailout package for the university.

They also demanded an independent audit covering the university’s administration over the past seven years.

Some employee representatives criticised the previous administration’s performance. These statements represent the views of the employees and have not been independently verified.

Earlier, the Sindh government had declined a proposal to extend Prof Iraqi’s tenure. It had also reportedly prevented him from convening a meeting of the university syndicate shortly before the end of his term.

Permanent Vice Chancellor Selection Near Completion

Sources familiar with the appointment process told Dawn that the search committee has nearly completed its work to appoint a permanent vice chancellor.

More than 40 candidates reportedly appeared before the committee during the selection process.

According to the report, three candidates have now been shortlisted, and security clearance procedures are currently underway.

Once the clearance process is completed, the Sindh government is expected to make the final appointment.

No official announcement regarding the successful candidate has yet been made.

Academic Profile of Dr Muhammad Tufail Jokhio

Prof Dr Muhammad Tufail Jokhio is widely recognised for his academic and research contributions in engineering and higher education.

He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering with a specialisation in manufacturing systems from the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom.

He is also a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of both the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (UK) and the Institution of Engineers Pakistan.

Throughout his academic career, Dr Jokhio has supervised numerous doctoral researchers in fields including:

• Advanced manufacturing systems
• Sustainable fuels
• Additive manufacturing
• Biomedical alloys
• Advanced materials
• Supply chain quality management

His research leadership has also extended to several international collaborations funded through Erasmus Mundus, Erasmus+, and UK-Pakistan higher education partnership programmes. These initiatives have focused on strengthening research cooperation, faculty exchange, and institutional development.

Awards and Professional Recognition

Dr Jokhio has received several national and academic honours during his career.

Among his notable recognitions are:

• PEC Engineers’ Excellence Award (Academia & Research) – 2023
• High Performers Award by the Government of Sindh – 2023
• Wall of Fame Award by the Academic Awards Forum – 2018

He also played a key role in establishing a constituent college of NED University in Tharparkar, expanding access to engineering education in the region.

Why the Appointment Matters

The University of Karachi is one of Pakistan’s largest and oldest public universities, serving thousands of students across multiple academic disciplines.

Its next permanent vice chancellor will inherit significant challenges, including financial constraints, employee welfare concerns, institutional governance, and academic development.

While Prof Dr Muhammad Tufail Jokhio’s appointment is temporary, many stakeholders hope the interim administration will provide stability and help address urgent operational issues until a permanent leadership decision is finalised.

The outcome of the ongoing vice chancellor selection process will likely shape the university’s administrative and academic direction in the coming years.

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