Govt yet to appoint V-C search committees despite SC order
Chennai:
University of Madras
sent a circular to eight colleges in March, asking them to postpone college graduation as it could not provide UG, PG, and MPhil degree certificates. Following an uproar, the circular was withdrawn. Likewise,
Anna University
announced that it would take severe action against faculty members and colleges involved in a fake faculty row last year. One year has passed, but no action has been taken so far.
These are just a few examples of how state universities have been crippled without vice-chancellors. As many as 10 state universities have been functioning without vice-chancellors. Despite the Supreme Court's order empowering the state govt in appointing vice-chancellors to state universities, the Tamil Nadu govt is yet to form vice-chancellor search panels.
"They have a clear mandate from the Supreme Court to appoint vice-chancellors for state universities. The state govt should go ahead and appoint
vice-chancellor search committees
as per the university acts," former Anna University vice-chancellor E Balagurusamy said. "The higher education department should initiate action for appointing V-C search committees based on the university acts. There is no need to wait anymore," he added.
Several educational reforms, including revamping basic science degree programmes, introducing interdisciplinary programmes, and online degrees, have been long overdue without the academic heads for state universities.
"The University of Madras used to be a pioneer in bringing innovative educational reforms in the state. Now, the university is at its lowest point as it has been functioning without a vice-chancellor for the past two years," said P Duraisamy, former vice-chancellor, University of Madras.
The university decided to introduce online degrees in 2021. Due to a financial crisis, it could not launch an online degree in the past four years. "The entire education system has taken a step backward because of the stalemate in appointing vice-chancellors," said N Rajendran, former vice-chancellor of Alagappa University.
Educationists urged the state govt to release the draft State Education Policy to get rid of confusion surrounding implementation of the National Education Policy.
"The state govt need not implement the provisions of the National Education Policy. However, it should release the draft State Education Policy and frame the policy after public discussions," said V Vasanthi Devi, former vice-chancellor of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University in Tirunelveli.
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