The resignation of M. Thirumalai from the post of Vice Chancellor of Tamil University on Thursday came as an unexpected shocker. The Vice Chancellor came out of his room, after meeting some staff at his chamber on Thursday and sent his resignation by fax.
The resignation was unexpected as Dr. Thirumalai took charge as Vice Chancellor of the University only on February 10, 2012 and his term was for three years. Dr. Thirumalai, who was chosen on merit as Vice-Chancellor of the University was previously the Head of the Department of Literary Criticism and School of Tamil Studies, Madurai Kamaraj University.
Immediately after assuming office of the VC, he had revealed his property accounts to media. “I own a house constructed with HDFC loan and a car purchased on loan. I don’t have any other property,” he has mentioned.
First project approved by the Government on his taking charge is the translation of Thirukural and poems of Bharathiyar and Bharathidasan into Chinese language. He said that the work would be completed as early as possible. Recently, the state government issued orders allotting Rs. 1.30 crore for taking up research and development in the University.
Dr. Thirumalai expressed happiness over it and said that such huge amount was allotted for the first time to the University by the government. “Each department will get Rs. five to six lakhs,” he had announced. The government also issued orders allotting Rs. 12 lakhs for Tamil research through computers. Another Rs. five lakhs was given for reviving Thamizh Kalai, a journal in Tamil and Civilisation a journal in English.
M.Ed courses were to be started from next academic year. Convocation of the University was to be held in June and Dr. Thirumalai was making preparations for it.
His appointment as Vice Chancellor came very late as the University was without a head for nearly ten months. “Activities of the University started gaining momentum after a lull after Dr. Thirumalai took charge as Vice-Chancellor. His sudden resignation will plunge the University into turmoil,” said the staff and students and expressed hope that Government would allow him to continue as Vice-Chancellor.
Dr. Thirumalai is the eleventh Vice Chancellor of the University which was started in 1981. Late V.I. Subramanyam was the first Vice-Chancellor of the University. He was given second term as Vice-Chancellor. But he resigned as Vice-Chancellor post before completing his second term. Another Vice-Chancellor, Karunakran resigned six months before his completion of tenure. Some noted Vice-Chancellors who served the University are late Agasthiyalingam, Avvai Natarajan, C. Subramaniam, M. Rajendran, and Khadir Mahadevan.
