After shortlisting 40 candidates for the post of Vice-Chancellor of Thiruvalluvar University in Vellore, the search committee has decided to ask the aspirants to do a SWOT analysis of themselves and the university to be submitted along with a vision document.
SWOT analysis is used to evaluate the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats and is something of a novelty in the selection to a top academic post. Apart from the SWOT analysis as part of the vision document, the shortlisted candidates will have to submit a plan and phase-wise strategies for developing the university as a centre of excellence.
To set standards in the selection of the Vice-Chancellors in the State, the search committee, comprising E. Balagurusamy, S.P. Thiagarajan and S. Venkataraman, after interacting with the stakeholders at the university personally, shortlisted the 40 candidates from 130 applicants.
The committee's foremost criterion was to ensure the University Grants Commission's 2010 regulations on the appointment of vice-chancellors were followed. As per the UGC norms, the V-C should be a distinguished academic with a minimum of ten years' experience in a university or an equivalent position in a reputed research and or academic administrative organisation.
“This single norm itself eliminated many of the applicants,” said Mr. Balagurusamy, convenor of the search committee.
In the absence of any guidelines for the selection of V-Cs or even for the search committees, Mr. Balagurusamy has written to the Governor on the need for framing norms to ensure that academics with integrity, ethics and institutional commitment are selected.
The search committee followed 37 criteria from educational qualification, research contribution, administrative experience, fellowships and to the number of papers published, before shortlisting the 40 candidates. It has decided to learn from the aspirants their understanding of Thiruvalluvar university and their innate abilities to transform it into a renowned institution.
“Every institution has its own set of problems. Some have financial troubles, some have development issues or administrative wrangles. Visiting the university was an experience and it will help us identify the right candidate with the required set of specific skills for the university,” Mr. Balagurusamy said.
The move assumes significance as four more search committees are in the process of selecting a Vice-Chancellor for Tamil Nadu Open University, Teachers Education University, Mother Teresa Women's University and Manonmaniam Sundaranar University.
