The University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila is a public university and lately, things haven’t really been the same as students protest against the administration, calling them out for their failure to be adequately there for them in times of crisis and need.
Just this week, two of UET Taxila’s students committed suicide due to depression – and according to sources, one of them is in a critical condition and is being treated at the POF Hospital Wah Cantt.
According to the students, despite being called, there was no medical help provided to either of the cases, and instead, the ambulances were being used for staff’s transportation.
https://twitter.com/Muhamma70495144/status/1139950163965939713?s=19
Apparently, the university has been shoving the other student’s death under the carpet by alleging that it is a natural death.
This is Disturbing and sad Week for Students of UET Taxila… One Female Students Died on her Bed few days ago and No one Know the Reason.. Even University administrators try to hide the incident and Dr. Of UET said it's a Natural Death.. 👇#UETTaxilaPoorAdmin
— Muhammad Owais Hameed (@IamOwaisHameed) June 15, 2019
A counter-narrative is also being presented by those close to the other student.
It is being claimed that she didn’t commit suicide, but died of natural causes, which is in line with the university’s narrative as well. It is being alleged that she had been sick for a long time and while she did not suffer from depression, she suffered from poor health in general.
According to students, the absence of a proper Vice Chancellor has led to the deterioration of the admin to an extent that they’re now facing multiple problems, all of which could have been controlled.
Last year in July, students did come out in protest against the said absence after former VC of the university Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar was appointed VC of the University of Punjab. But it all went down the drain as the UET is still operating without a VC. Due to this, many of the administrative and academic affairs of the university have come to a halt.
Following the news of the suicides, many students took to Twitter to express their disappointment and protest against the absence of administrative action at the varsity.
And so, the hashtag #UETTaxilaPoorAdmin started trending nationwide.
Apparently, the varsity did have a response but it’s honestly not… what we expect out of any of them
I have a question, are we not humans? For god’s sake, one of our students passed away and one is critically ill, we do not have ambulances available, Yet the response of UETT admin is “Bachay hain, chotain lgti rehti hain”.Is this what we deserve?#UETTaxilaPoorAdmin
— Muneeb Chaudary (@muneebt58) June 15, 2019
And the kind of negligent response is reflective of how little attention is being paid to medical emergencies and facilities.
The doctors are allegedly being paid in full, yet there are no medicines, nor any medical facilities that could’ve have tended to such a situation.
We do not have medicines, but yet the doctors are being paid in full, the lives of our friends are on the line, and who is to be held questionable? Yet the response of admin of UETT is “Bachay hain, chotain lgti rehti hain”is this what we deserve?@HamidMirPAK#UETTaxilaPoorAdmin
— Ans Fareed Aslam🇵🇰 (@imAFareed_29) June 15, 2019
People are asking where the admin is, and why haven’t they been active during such a tragedy
UET Taxila stands among the most prestigious university institute in the country. But why isn't the dignity and life of its student considered prestigious as well? Two major cases in a row, where is the administration now?#UETTaxilaPoorAdmin
— Zeeshan Maqsood (@iamZeeshan99) June 15, 2019
They’re also asking for accountability
Back to back Suicide attempts on Campus. Irresponsive administration. We demand accountability of these murderers before it's too late.#UETTaxilaPoorAdmin @hecpkofficial@Shafqat_Mahmood@ImranKhanPTI@nadeemmalik@HamidMirPAK@WaseemBadami@Kashifabbasiary@MalickViews
— Atif (@m_atifmunir) June 15, 2019
The students are being charged heavily by the institution and yet there’s still a lack of attention to the most basic of facilities
Authorities must look upon this issue. It's a serious matter in UET Taxila where students are not being provided with health and hostel facilities and they are being heavily charged for it.
It is requested that twitter family should raise their issue. ThankU.#UETTAxilaPoorAdmin— Extremist 🇵🇰 (@hardcorefemnist) June 15, 2019
Soon enough, students started talking about everything else that was wrong with the university – from sanitation…
https://twitter.com/UmButt4/status/1139941696505090048
…to poor medical facilities…
https://twitter.com/UmButt4/status/1139941696505090048
…institutional politics…
https://twitter.com/Haadisays/status/1139947250669346816
…and endless nepotism
https://twitter.com/AlBakistaanii/status/1139980961863622657
Apparently, the teachers over there are the main source of demotivation for the students according to many
https://twitter.com/usaamay_/status/1139947942750687232
Girls can’t head out of their dorms due to strict policies, even when there’s a severe power outage
https://twitter.com/theuetianfreak/status/1139941908636143616
https://twitter.com/anfaal007/status/1139941146321461248
Every single student has been facing problems due to the lack of attention and the collective patience is waning thin
https://twitter.com/anfaal007/status/1139942373725802499
All in all, it’s a sad state of affairs at UET
https://twitter.com/anfaal007/status/1139941782823800832
While there is yet to be an official statement from UET’s officials regarding the entire matter, it is absolutely sad to see how students over there are being treated – given the fact that the institution is counted in the top ranks of the country’s engineering colleges. It is high time that educational institutes across Pakistan sort out their priorities and make sure that not another person has to give up on their life just because they couldn’t get the required attention on time.
What do you think about the incident? Let us know in the comments!
The piece has been updated after the team was contacted by one of the student’s close associates, presenting a counter-narrative.
