Karachi- Prof. Dr. Samreen Hussain (S.I., T.I.), Vice Chancellor of Dawood University of Engineering & Technology (DUET), has officially submitted her resignation to the Chief Minister of Sindh. In her resignation letter, she requested the CM to accept it without delay and offered to forgo the standard one-month notice period by compensating the university with a month’s salary, as per her contract terms.
Background and Career Overview
Dr. Samreen assumed charge as VC of DUET in early 2023. Her tenure was marked by controversy when she initiated the dismissal of 88 contractual staff members. This decision, requiring provincial government approval, came during a reported hiring freeze. Despite criticism for the decision amidst rising inflation, she defended the move as being in line with official hiring policies.
Before joining DUET, Dr. Samreen held a senior academic position at IBA Sukkur. Though details about her departure from IBA are unclear, she was known for her growing national profile. Her career was further highlighted by a gunfire attack on her vehicle in Orangi Town in August 2024 — an incident observers link to her political affiliations. She remained unharmed in the attack.
In March 2025, Dr. Samreen was awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz by the Governor of Sindh in recognition of her services in the education sector.
Possible Reasons Behind Resignation
While her resignation letter does not specify any grievances, several possible motivations include:
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Backlash and protests over the 2023 staff terminations.
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Political pressure due to her family’s high-profile background.
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Personal or professional aspirations after receiving national recognition.
Timeline of Key Events
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Early 2023 – Appointed as Vice Chancellor, DUET
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April 2023 – Dismissed 88 contractual employees
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August 2024 – Survived armed attack in Orangi Town
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March 2025 – Received Sitara-e-Imtiaz
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July 2025 – Resigned as VC, DUET
What’s Next for DUET?
Should the CM approve her resignation, DUET will require an interim Vice Chancellor. Her departure opens a critical moment for Sindh’s higher education sector, as DUET was already under scrutiny for administrative decisions and political undercurrents. The government will need to ensure a smooth transition to safeguard both institutional stability and public confidence.
