Sindh Govt Moves Forward With Plan to Detach ICCBS From KU Despite Stakeholder Criticism

KARACHI: The Sindh government is pressing ahead with its plan to separate the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) from Karachi University (KU), despite strong reservations from teachers’ bodies, political groups, and academic stakeholders. The development was confirmed by Minister for Universities and Boards Ismail Rahu, who revealed on Tuesday that a draft bill had been forwarded to the Charter Inspection and Evaluation Committee for review.

Speaking at a meeting of the Inter-Board Coordination Commission (IBCC), where he inaugurated Sindh’s new e-marking and digital examination system, the minister attempted to dispel concerns circulating in academic circles. He insisted that the government was “not planning to split KU”, but was instead exploring a legislative route to empower ICCBS to independently award degrees.

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Stakeholders Warn of Damage to Research, Accessibility

Over recent weeks, various teachers’ associations, political parties, and KU stakeholders have criticised the proposal, warning that detaching ICCBS could harm its internationally recognised research environment. They fear the move may restrict student access and potentially raise costs if the centre begins functioning with greater financial autonomy or is perceived as moving toward privatisation.

Mr Rahu, however, stressed that teachers, staff, donors, and all stakeholders would be consulted before any final decision is taken. He did not clarify whether the bill would move forward without consensus, but reiterated the government’s intent to strengthen the province’s higher education sector.

Sindh Launches E-Marking and Digital Examination System

During the same event, the minister inaugurated the province’s new e-marking and digitalisation project for educational boards, describing it as a major step toward transparent and efficient examinations.

He announced that the federal government had handed over all required e-marking software to Sindh’s educational boards. The initiative—launched under the IBCC—was attended by Secretary for Universities and Boards Muhammad Abbas Baloch, Faqeer Muhammad Lakho, board chairpersons, and federal representatives.

Mr Rahu said that annual examinations for grades IX and XI across Sindh would now be conducted using e-marking, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and timely results. He highlighted that the system aims to eliminate issues such as paper leaks and delays in result preparation, common under the traditional manual process.

Some educational boards have already begun limited implementation of e-marking, and the minister stated that a fully transparent system—from paper-setting to final evaluation—is currently being developed.

With academic reforms underway and debate intensifying over ICCBS’s future, Sindh’s education landscape appears poised for significant transformation in the coming months.