While the Madras High Court has nudged the State Government to amend the Universities Act in tune with the UGC Regulations 2010, a section of academics feels that this alone would not be an effective to tool to identify and appoint persons with real calibre as Vice-Chancellors to universities.
‘Clause not meaningful’
“The UGC clause that only a person with 10 years experience as professor must be appointed as Vice-Chancellor serves no meaningful purpose as it excludes talented persons serving as assistant professors,” a teachers’ union representative said.
P. Jayagandhi of the Association of University Teachers feels there is a need for initiating discussion on how to strengthen the process for selection of Vice-Chancellors. “Since the Central government has not mandated that the States follow the UGC regulations, it should initiate a discussion with the State government on the qualifications for Vice-Chancellors,” he says.
A former professor of University of Madras feels the UGC’s stand in the court that it would initiate action against universities that violate its guidelines could have a bearing on a case recently filed by the Madras University Teachers Association, pertaining to violation of UGC guidelines and the Madras University Act in the nomination of a person to its Vice-Chancellor search committee.
The Association had questioned the nomination of a Ph.D student to the search committee.
‘Aim for quality’
“There is sufficient quantity in higher education. What we must aim for now is quality. We need a person with broader exposure,” he adds.
“Centre must initiate a discussion with State on qualifications for Vice-Chancellors”
