A round-table discussion on appointment of vice-chancellors had scholars and former heads of universities proposing ideas to streamline the process. The ideas discussed ranged from setting up of a collegium of eminent people to shortlist names to setting 50 years as the upper age limit for the candidate.
The discussion, at the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) on Friday, was organised in the context of increasing political interference in vice-chancellors' appointments.
M.K. Sridhar, Executive Director of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission, said those over the age of 50 should not be named for the post as older people were likely to be out of touch with the new demands. “Please appoint younger people,” he said.
N.R. Shetty, former VC of Bangalore University, proposed that a collegium of eminent people could impanel names, from which the government could make a pick.
K. Sudha Rao, former Vice-Chancellor of the Karnataka State Open University, argued for greater transparency in the process, where the search committee declares its criterion. The chosen person should be one who was aware of the demands of the changed times, both in terms of the changed economy of higher education and altered expectations of students, she said.
M.R. Gajendragad, former Vice-Chancellor of Kuvempu University, said there should be clear-cut criterion with weightage given to each, which takes into account a range of factors from academic qualification to social justice aspect.
