Karachi: The Sindh government is considering raising the retirement age for professors at public sector universities from 60 to 65 to address faculty shortages and the financial challenges facing higher education institutions.

Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah announced the proposal during a meeting with vice chancellors of 32 public universities on Friday, October 16.

According to a statement issued after the meeting, the meeting will submit a formal summary proposing the five year extension to the provincial cabinet for consideration. The change was not finalised yet.

Vice chancellors told the meeting that public universities were struggling to retain qualified and experienced academics because private institutions were offering more competitive salaries.

The discussion also covered financial pressures, staffing requirements, academic standards, research, campus infrastructure, governance, student accommodation, scholarships and transport facilities.

Shah said the provincial government was providing Rs 44.46 billion in grants to public universities in the current financial year, describing the allocation as higher than in any other province.

However, he acknowledged that pension liabilities and electricity costs were consuming a substantial share of university funding.

Participants also discussed public private partnerships as a possible means of supporting university development projects.

The chief secretary assured participants that the provincial government would continue consultations with university administrations and would approach federal authorities on matters within their jurisdiction.

The Sindh cabinet must consider the proposed retirement age extension before implementing any change.