VCs appointment after changes in selection panel

Highly-placed sources say that Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao wants the guideline changes to revamp the system for the appointment of the search committee, since, the present set up is reportedly mired in corruption. The search committee recommends three names for the prestigious post. Since the new procedures ought to be formulated legally, the process of VCs appointment is expected to be delayed further. 

Sources say that the existing search committees of all the three universities have given their recommendations to the Chancellor sometime in April end. But they are yet to hear from the Raj Bhavan. 

In the meantime, Anna University is set to hold its 37th convocation on May 19. But, contrary to norms, the degree certificates issued will have the signature of higher education secretary owing to the absence of a Vice Chancellor. 

In fact, Madras University Teachers Association (MUTA) has been against the search committee as they are unhappy over the members who have been nominated to the selection committee. 

“We want academicians to be in the committee to select the VC, which is not the case with the present one. Take for instance in the case of Pondicherry University, where the search committee comprised VCs. But, when it comes to Madras University, the members of the search committee are non-academicians. We have been opposing this from day one and we want a fair process for the selection of VCs,” says G Ravindran of MUTA.