In the last four years, the post of Registrar in Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) here has been held by six persons on in-charge basis.
Ever since I. Singaram of the Department of Sociology demitted office as full-time Registrar in February 2010 after a three-year term, the university has not got a regular appointment for the “all-important custodian” position. It has seen six officials occupying the post in the last four academic years.
After Dr. Singaram returned to his parent department, the university had Dr. V. Alagappan of the Commerce Department as Registrar in-charge for 13 months till he was “suddenly” replaced in June 2011.
The then Controller of Examinations, M. Rajiakodi, took over additional charge from Dr. Alagappan, and he held the post for 10 months.
The search for a regular candidate continued all these years, during which time the MKU had four faculty members as Registrar in-charge — R. Kannan, Dr. Hariharan, K. Pitchumani and the present incumbent, A. Muthumanickam.
Official sources told The Hindu on Saturday that the university was now keen to get a full-time Registrar appointed ahead of the visit of a peer team from National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) from May 6.
A senior Syndicate member said the reason for the delay in appointing a full-time Registrar was that the university could not find a person with expected credentials and administrative experience.
“Since the election model code of conduct is in effect, I am not sure whether a Registrar can be appointed now. But, applications have been invited and they are being scrutinised for interview,” the Syndicate member added.
A former Registrar of the university expressed concern that the all-important administrative post had been reduced to an ordinary one though “the chair carries a lot of executive powers and authority”.
Madurai Kamaraj, Manonmaniam Sundaranar, Mother Teresa and Alagappa University Teachers’ Association (MUTA) was also critical of the delay in appointing a Registrar. Mr. Muthumanickam, however, stated that the varsity would make the appointment after the election code of conduct ended. “We had received applications and sent call letters for interview on May 12. That stands postponed now.”
