The Syndicate of the University of Madras has resolved to seek an investigation by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption into all appointments made during the tenure of former Vice Chancellor R. Thandavan.
During his tenure from 2013 to 2016, the Madras University Teachers Association raised objections citing irregularities in the appointment of teaching and non-teaching staff and filed a petition in the Madras High Court.
Among the appointments was that of K. Dayanidhi, in-charge head and assistant professor in the Department of Vaishnavism. Mr. Dayanidhi had completed his entire education in a Sanskrit Vedapathashala, which is not recognised by the University Grants Commission as a qualification for appointment to a university.
‘Criteria fulfilled’
Mr. Dayanidhi, however, maintained that he fulfilled the criteria for appointment. “I have studied in a traditional pathashala and have an M.A. in Sanskrit with specialisation in Vaishnavism. I have a Ph.D. in Vishishtadvaitha from the Sanskrit Department. It is a university-recognised programme. I have given the details of my qualifications and the university has given me the job,” he said.
The UGC, however, has stipulated that candidates should have 10+2+3 years of formal education and a Ph. D degree to be eligible to be appointed as assistant professor.
It is the norm of the university to place for approval all appointments before the Syndicate.
Disciplinary panel probe
Though four of the 17 Syndicate members dissented, Mr. Thandavan went ahead with the appointment. Mr. Dayanidhi took charge on October 7, 2014. Following the retirement of M.A. Venkatakrishnan as the head of the department, Mr. Dayanidhi became in-charge head.
An RTI plea by a candidate revealed that Mr. Dayanidhi’s marks had been altered. These issues were raised at Monday’s meeting, following which the Syndicate resolved that it would constitute a disciplinary committee to investigate his appointment.
Based on the report action would be taken, said a university official.
The Department of Vaishnavism was established in 1984 and since then has had only one faculty member. Mr. Dayanidhi was appointed overlooking several other candidates who had an MA in Vaishnavism, said a former university professor.
To a question on whether the university would consider looking into similar complaints of irregularities during the tenure of former V-C Thiruvasagam, a member said not many appointments were made during his tenure, but if irregularities were noticed then that period would also be subject to DVAC investigation.
The Syndicate approved the creation of a centre for web-based learning to run online courses.
The university will apply to the UGC for permission to offer the courses from the next academic year.
In the first year the university will offer M. Sc. in Cyber Forensics, Spatial Information Technology (Geography department) and Master’s degree in Computer Applications. The online courses will be coordinated by Bharathi Harishankar, head of Women Studies Department, said V.C. P. Duraisamy.
