BEACONHOUSE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY LAHORE ACT, 2005

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THE BEACONHOUSE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, LAHORE 
ACT 2005 
(VIII of 2005) 
CONTENTS 
1. Short title and commencement 
2. Definitions 
3. Establishment of the University 
4. Functions and powers of the University 
5. University open to all 
6. Jurisdiction 
7. Chancellor 
8. Inspection and inquiry 
9. Vice Chancellor 
10. Appointments 
11. University fund 
12. Budget, audit and accounts 
13. Officers of the University 
14. Authorities of the University 
15. Board of Governors 
16. Powers and duties of the Board 
17. Business of the Board 
18. Delegation of powers 
19. Academic Council 
20. Powers and duties of Academic Council 
21. Statutes 
22. First Statutes 
23. Regulations 
24. Removal of difficulties 
25. Validation 
SCHEDULE 
1. Faculties 
2. Board of Faculty 
3. Academic Departments and Heads of the Departments 
4. Board of Advanced Studies and Research 
5. Functions of the Board of Advanced Studies and Research 
6. Selection Board 
7. Functions of the Selection Board 
8. Finance and Planning Committee 
9. Functions of the Finance and Planning Committee 
TEXT 
1
THE BEACONHOUSE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, LAHORE ACT 2005 
(VIII of 2005) 
[2nd July, 2005] 
An 
Act 
to provide for the establishment of the Beaconhouse National University, Lahore. 
Preamble.– Whereas it is expedient to provide for the establishment of the 
Beaconhouse National University, Lahore in the private sector and matters 
connected therewith and ancillary thereto;  
It is hereby enacted as follows:– 
1. Short title and commencement .– (1) This Act may be called the  
Beaconhouse National University, Lahore Act 2005.  
(2) It shall come into force at once. 
2. Definitions.– In this Act, unless there is anything rep ugnant 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 specified in 
section 14; 
(c) “Board” means the Board of Governors of the University constituted 
under section 15; 
(d) “Chairperson of Department” means the Head of a teaching 
department; 
(e) “Chancellor” means the Governor of the Punjab; 
(f) “Dean” means the head of a Faculty; 
(g) “Department” means a teaching department maintained and 
administered, or recognized by the U niversity in the manner 
prescribed; 
(h) “Faculty” means a faculty of the University; 
(i) “Foundation” means the Beaconhouse National University Foundation; 
(j) “Government” means the Government of the Punjab; 
(k) “Higher Education Commission” means the Higher Education 
Commission setup by the Higher Education Commission Ordinance 
2002; 
                                                 
1This Act was passed by the Punjab Assembly on  18 June 2005; assented to by the Governor of the  Punjab on 1 July 2005; 
and, was published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 2 July 2005, pages 01 to 09 
(l) “prescribed” means prescribed by Statutes, Regulations or Rules made 
under this Act; 
(m) “Registrar” means the Registrar of the University; 
(n) “Schedule” means the Schedule of this Act; 
(o) “Search Com mittee” means a Search Committee set up for making 
recommendations for appointment of Vice Chancellor; 
(p) “Statutes”, “Regulations” and “Rules” mean respectively the Statutes, 
the Regulations and the Rules made or deemed to have been made 
under this Act; 
(q) “Teachers” include Professors, Associate Professors, Assistant 
Professors and Lecturers engaged whole time by the University and 
such other persons as may be declared to be Teachers by 
Regulations; 
(r) “University” means the Beaconhouse National University, Lahore  
constituted under this Act; 
(s) “University Teacher” means a whole time teacher appointed and paid 
by the University, or recognized by the University as such; and 
(t) “Vice Chancellor” means the Vice Chancellor of the University. 
3. Establishment of the University.– (1) There shall be established a University 
to be called the Beaconhouse National University, Lahore  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 namely– 
(a) the Chancellor, the Chairman and members of the Board of Governors 
and the Vice Chancellor; 
(b) the members  of the authorities of the University established under 
section 14; 
(c) all University teachers, and persons recognized as students of the 
University in accordance with terms prescribed from time to time; and 
(d) all other full time officers and members of the staff of the University. 
4. Functions and powers of the University .– The functions and powers of the 
University shall be– 
(a) to provide for instruction and training in the faculties of– 
(i) Architecture & Design, Education, Information & Computer 
Technologies, L iberal Arts, Media and Mass Communication, 
Visual Art, Social Sciences; and 
(ii) such other branches of learning as the Board may determine 
with the approval of the Chancellor given on the 
recommendation of a committee constituted by the Education 
Department, Government of the Punjab: 
Provided that in case of medical and engineering education, 
approval of the Pakistan Medical & Dental Council and Pakistan 
Engineering Council respectively shall be a pre-requisite;  
(b) to provide for research, demonstration and other  services, and for the 
advancement and dissemination of knowledge; 
(c) to hold examinations in a manner as may be determined by the 
Government and confer on or award degrees, diplomas, certificates 
and other academic distinctions to persons who have passed its  
examinations; 
(d) to select and promote Faculties; 
(e) to prescribe courses of studies; 
(f) to establish and support other facilities for education, training and 
research; and 
(g) to decide teaching methods and strategies in order to ensure the most 
effective educational and training programs. 
5. University open to all.– The University shall be open to persons of either sex 
of whatever religion, race, creed, colour or domicile who are academically qualified 
for admission to the courses of study offered by the University; and no person shall 
be denied the privileges of the University on any of such grounds. 
6. Jurisdiction.– (1) The jurisdiction of the University shall be restricted to the 
Province of the Punjab. 
(2) The University shall not open any sub -campus or affiliate  any other 
educational institution for a period of ten years from the commencement of this Act 
after which period it may have sub-campuses with the approval of the Chancellor. 
7. Chancellor.– (1) The Governor of the Punjab shall be the Chancellor of the 
University. 
(2) The Chancellor or his nominee shall preside at the convocations of the 
University. 
(3) Every proposal to confer an honorary degree shall be subject to 
confirmation by the Chancellor. 
(4) The Chancellor shall have the power to assent to the St atutes 
submitted to him by the Board or refer them back to the Board for reconsideration. 
8. Inspection and inquiry .– (1) The Chancellor may cause an inspection or 
inquiry to be made in respect of any matter connected with the affairs of the 
University. 
(2) The Chancellor shall communicate to the Board his views with regard 
to the result of the inspection or inquiry and shall, after ascertaining the views of the 
Board, advise the Board on the action to be taken by it. 
(3) The Board shall, within such time as may be  specified by the 
Chancellor, communicate to him such action as has been taken as a result of the 
inspection or inquiry. 
(4) Where the Board does not, within the time specified, take action to the 
satisfaction of the Chancellor, the Chancellor may issue such d irections as he thinks 
fit and the Board shall comply with all such directions. 
(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 said Court and a Professor 
Emeritus or Vice Chancellor, take appropriate action against the University by 
appointing an administrator who shall exercise the powers of the Board to run the 
affairs of the University till such time as may be specified: 
Provided that no action shall be taken unless the Chairman of the Board is 
afforded an opportunity of being heard. 
(6) The Government may make Rules to give effect to the provisions of 
sub-section (5). 
(7) The Chancellor shall have the authority to annul  any decision or action 
of the Board, which he thinks was taken against the interest of academic excellence, 
religious and cultural ideology and national integrity.  
9. Vice Chancellor.– (1) The Vice Chancellor shall be an eminent scholar of 
national repute and shall be appointed by the Government on the recommendations 
of the Search Committee on such terms and conditions as may be determined on the 
recommendations of the Board. 
(2) The Vice Chancellor shall perform such functions as are assigned to 
him by the Board. 
10. Appointments.– The University may appoint such persons in its services as 
may be necessary on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the 
Board. 
11. University fund .– There shall be a fund to be known as the Beaconhouse 
National University, Lahore Fund which shall vest in the University and to which shall 
be credited all sums received by the University. 
12. Budget, audit and accounts .– The budget of the University shall be 
approved and its accounts shall be maintained and audited in  such manner as may 
be prescribed by the Board. 
13. Officers of the University .– The following shall be the officers of the 
University:– 
(a) the Chancellor; 
(b) the Vice Chancellor; 
(c) the Deans; 
(d) the Chairperson of the teaching department; 
(e) the Registrar; 
(f) the Treasurer; 
(g) the Controller of examinations; and 
(h) such other Authorities as may be prescribed by the Statutes or 
Regulations to be the officers of the University. 
14. Authorities of the University .– The following shall be the Authorities of the 
University:– 
(a) the Board of Governors; 
(b) the Academic Council; 
(c) the Boards of Faculties; 
(d) the Board of Advanced Studies and Research; 
(e) the Selection Board; 
(f) the Finance and Planning Committee; and 
(g) such other Authorities as may be prescribed by the Statutes and the 
Regulations. 
15. Board of Governors .– (1) The Board of Governors of the University shall 
consist of the following:– 
(i) the Chairman of the Foundation; 
(ii) Directors of the Foundation subject to a maximum of eight directors; 
(iii) the Chairman, Higher Education Commission or his nominee not  below 
the rank of a Director; 
(iv) a Vice Chancellor of a public sector University in the Punjab nominated 
by the Chancellor; 
(v) the Vice Chancellor; and 
(vi) Secretary to Government of the Punjab, Education Department or his 
nominee not below the rank of Additional Secretary. 
(2) The Chairman of the Foundation shall be the Chairman of the Board.  
(3) Members of the Board , other than ex-officio members, shall hold office 
for a term of three years. Members of the Board 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, a fraction being counted as one; provided that at least two 
members shall be official members. 
16. Powers and duties of the Board .– (1) The administration and management 
of the affairs of the University shall vest in the Board. 
(2) The Board shall forward the draft of Statutes to the Chancellor for 
approval. 
(3) Without prejudice to the generality of the aforementioned powers, the 
Board may exercise powers and perform functions as follows:– 
(a) to 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) to make and, from time  to time, revise Regulations for the efficient and 
effective operations of the University; 
(c) to create a component of the University such as faculties, departments, 
institutes under its jurisdiction subject to sub  para (ii) of para (a) of 
section 4; 
(d) to const itute such standing committees, councils and other 
administrative or academic advisory bodies as it deems necessary, and 
review  their work; and to create such academic or administrative posts 
as it may deem  necessary and to approve appointments to such p osts 
as it may specify; 
(e) to 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 Regulations; 
(f) to undertake the responsibility for the f inancial viability of the University 
including responsibility for ensuring effectiveness of its operations, their 
continuity and preservation of the autonomy of the University; 
(g) to consider and pass through a resolution the annual report, plan of 
work, statement of accounts and the annual budget estimates; 
(h) to call for and consider reports relating to the activities of the University 
and to direct the Vice Chancellor to furnish information relating to any 
matter specified by the Board; and 
(i) to take all such in itiatives as it may consider necessary or desirable for 
the efficient and effective management and functioning of the 
University; 
17. Business of the Board .– (1) The meetings and business of the Board shall 
be conducted in such manner and in accordance wit h such procedure as may be 
prescribed in the Regulations and until these matters are prescribed, as may be 
determined by the Board. 
(2) No Statute, Regulation or proceeding of the Board shall be invalid by 
reason of any vacancy or defect in the constitution of the Board. 
18. Delegation of powers .– The Board may delegate to any person or a 
committee any of its powers, duties or functions. 
19. Academic Council .– (1) There shall be an Academic Council of the 
University which shall consist of– 
(i) the Vice Chancellor (Chairman); 
(ii) all the Deans; 
(iii) all the Heads of the Departments/Institutes; 
(iv) all Professors and Associate Professors of the University; 
(v) nominee of the Secretary Education, Government of the Punjab not 
below the rank of Deputy Secretary; 
(vi) two Associate Profess ors, two Assistant Professors and two Lecturers 
to be nominated by the Board; 
(vii) three persons eminent in the fields of arts and sciences , of whom at 
least one shall be from each category, to be nominated by the Board; 
(viii) Director Academic, Higher Education Commission; and 
(ix) the Registrar (Member/Secretary). 
 (2) Members appointed by nomination shall hold office for three years. 
 (3) The quorum for a meeting of the Academic Council shall be one half of 
the total number of members, a fraction being counted as one. 
20. Powers and duties of Academic Council .– (1) The Academic Council shall 
be the academic body of the University and shall, by the Statutes, have the powers 
to 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 and the Statutes, the Academic Council shall have the 
powers to– 
(a) advise the Board on academic matters; 
(b) regulate the conduct of teaching, research and publication; 
(c) regulate the admission of students to the courses of studies and 
examinations in the University; 
(d) regulate the conduct and discipline of the students of the University; 
(e) propose to the Board, sche me for the constitution and organization of 
Faculties and teaching departments; 
(f) consider or formulate proposals for the planning and development of 
teaching and research in the University; 
(g) make Regulations prescribing the courses of studies, the syllabi an d 
the outlines of tests for all University examinations subject to the 
approval of 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 th e various Authorities in accordance 
with the provisions of this Act; and  
(k) perform such other functions as may be prescribed by the Statutes. 
21. Statutes.– Subject to the provisions of sub -section (4) of section 7 and 
section 23 and approval of the Chancel lor, Statutes may be made by the Board to 
provide for and to regulate any matter relevant to the University. 
22. First Statutes .– Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained  in this 
Act, the Statutes set out in the Schedule appended to this Act shal l be deemed to be 
the Statutes framed under section 21 of this Act and shall continue to remain in force 
until amended or repealed. 
23. Regulations.– The Board may, by notification, make Regulations for the 
administration and management of the affairs of the University. 
24. Removal of difficulties .– If any difficulty arises in giving effect to any of the 
provisions of this Act, the Board may, with the approval of the Government, give 
such directions, not inconsistent with the said provisions, as it may cons ider 
necessary for the removal of such difficulty. 
25. Validation.– All actions taken, obligation and liability incurred, rights and 
assets acquired, persons appointed or authorized, endowments, bequests, funds 
created, donation or grant received by the Fo undation for the establishment of 
University after the issuance of no objection certificate by the Education Department, 
Government of the Punjab, shall be deemed to have been taken, incurred, acquired, 
appointed or authorized, created or received under this Act. 
SCHEDULE 
(See section 22) 
THE FIRST STATUTES OF 
THE BEACONHOUSE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, LAHORE 
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 established pursuant to this Act:– 
(a) Faculty of Architecture & Design;  
(b) Faculty of Education; 
(c) Faculty of Information & Computer Technology; 
(d) Faculty of Liberal Arts; 
(e) Faculty of Media and Mass Communication; 
(f) Faculty of Visual Arts; and 
(g) Faculty of Social Sciences. 
2. Board of Faculty .– (1) There shall be a Board of each Faculty which shall 
consist of– 
(a) the Dean of the Faculty; 
(b) the Professors and the heads of the teaching departments in the 
Faculty; 
(c) one member , other than Profess ors and head of each teaching 
department, to be nominated by the Head of Department; 
(d) two teachers to be nominated by the Academic Council by reason of 
their specialized knowledge of the subjects which, though not assigned 
to the Faculty, have in the opinio n 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 of Governors; and 
(f) one member to be nominated by the Vice Chancellor. 
(2) The members oth er than ex -officio members, shall hold office for a 
period of three years. 
(3) The quorum for a meeting of the Board of a Faculty shall be one half of 
the total number of members, a fraction being counted as one. 
(4) The Board of each Faculty shall, subjec t to the general control of the 
Academic Council and the Board, have the powers to– 
(i) co-ordinate the teaching and research work in the subjects assigned to 
the Faculty; 
(ii) scrutinize the recommendations of the Boards of Studies comprising 
the 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; 
(iii) consider any other academic matter  relating to the Faculty and to 
submit its report to the Academic Council; 
(iv) prepare a comprehensive annual report regarding the performance of 
each department comprising the Faculty for presentation to the 
Academic Council; and  
(v) perform such other functions as may be prescribed by the Statutes. 
(5) There shall be a Dean of each Faculty who shall be the Chairman and 
Convener of the Board of Faculty. 
(6) The Dean shall be appointed by the Board from amongst the three 
senior most professors of the Facu lty on the recommendation 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 by 
the Board on the recommendations of the Vice Chancellor. 
3. Academic Departments and Heads of the Departments .– (1) There shall 
be an Academic Department for eac h subject or a group of subjects, as may be 
prescribed by the Regulations and each Academic Department shall be headed by a 
Head of Department. 
(2) The Head of an Academic Department shall be appointed by the Board 
on the recommendations of the Vice Chance llor from amongst three senior most 
Professors other than a Professor already working as Dean for a period of three 
years and shall be eligible for re -appointment; provided that in a department where 
there are less than three eligible Professors, the appoi ntment shall be made from 
amongst the three senior most Professors and Associate Professors of the 
Department. 
(3) The Head of the Department shall plan, organize and supervise the 
work of the department and shall be responsible to the Dean for the work of  his 
department. 
(4) The Head of the Department shall, under the general supervision of the 
Vice Chancellor and the Dean , exercise all administrative, financial and academic 
powers and such other duties or powers as may be delegated to him. 
(5) The heads o f the departments shall prepare a comprehensive annual 
report regarding the performance of department 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 o f Advanced Studies and Research .– (1) The Board of Advanced 
Studies and Research shall consist of– 
(a) the Vice Chancellor (Chairman); 
(b) all the Deans; 
(c) one University Professor from each Faculty other than Dean to be 
appointed by the Board; 
(d) one member to be nominated by the Vice Chancellor; 
(e) three members from the relevant field, research organizations and 
Government Departments, to be nominated by the Board; and 
(f) 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, a fraction being counted 
as one. 
5. Functions of the Board of Advanced Studies and Research .– The 
functions of the Board of Advanced Studies and Board of Research shall be to– 
(a) advise the Authorities on all matters connected with the promotion of 
advanced studies and research publication in the University; 
(b) consider and report to the Authorities of research degrees in the 
University; 
(c) propose Regulations regarding the award of research degrees; 
(d) appoint supervisors for Postgraduate research students and to approve 
titles and synopsis of their thesis/dissertations; 
(e) recommend panels of names of examiners for evaluation of their other 
research examinations; and  
(f) perform such other functions as may be prescribed by the Statutes. 
6. Selection Board.– (1) The Selection Board shall consist of– 
(a) the Vice Chancellor (Chairman); 
(b) the Dean of the Faculty concerned; 
(c) the Head of the Academic Department concerned; 
(d) one member of the Board of Governors to be nominated by the Board; 
(e) one eminent scholar to be nominated by the Board o f Directors of the 
Foundation; and 
(f) one expert in the subject to be nominated by the Secretary to 
Government of the Punjab, Education Department. 
(2) The Registrar shall be the Secretary of the Selection Board. 
(3) The members other than ex -officio memb ers, shall hold office for a 
period of three years. 
(4) The quorum for a meeting of the Selection Board shall be four. 
(5) No member, who is a candidate for the posts to which appointment is 
to be made, shall take part in the proceedings of the Selection Board. 
(6) In selection of candidates for the posts of Professors and Associate 
Professors, 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 and revised from time to time. 
7. Functions of the Selection Board .– The functions of the S election Board 
shall be to– 
(a) consider the applications and recommend to the Board of Governors 
the names of suitable candidates for appointment to teaching and other 
posts, as the case may be, and recommend suitable salary for the 
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) the Vice Chancellor (Chairman); 
(b) all the Deans; 
(c) one member of the Board to be nominated by the Board; 
(d) one member of the Academic Council to be nominated by the 
Academic Council; 
(e) one representative each from Education Departme nt and Finance 
Department of the Government of the Punjab not below the rank of 
Deputy Secretary; 
(f) Director Planning, Higher Education Commission; 
(g) the Registrar; and 
(h) one nominee of the Board of Directors of the Foundation. 
(2) The term of office of the nominated members shall be three years. 
(3) The quorum for a meeting of the Finance and Planning Committee 
shall be five. 
9. Functions of the Finance and Planning Committee .– The functions of the 
Finance and Planning Committee shall be to– 
(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; 
(c) advise the Board on all matters relating to finance, investments and 
accounts of the University; and 
(d) perform such other functions as may be prescribed by the Statutes.