While agitations and bandhs have severely affected the education atmosphere in the universities and affiliated colleges, the absence of Vice-Chancellors has literally paralysed the administration in the State universities.
There are 11 major universities functioning with in charge Vice-Chancellors while another six Vice-Chancellors will complete their office this month leaving about 17 universities without heads. In addition to these, three universities – Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Horticulture University and Veterinary University are also without Vice-Chancellors. Out of the 30 universities in the State excluding the NIMS and SVIMS 24 varsities function directly under the A.P. State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE).
The absence of Vice-Chancellors is being felt in taking key decisions as it is the admissions time in all the varsities in the State. “I have to spend at least two full days to complete the pending files of one university and it's quite hectic, more so as I have to deal with my own university issues,” said a Vice-Chancellor. He says hundreds of colleges are affiliated to every university and they have lots of issues with admissions, appointments and problems pertaining to teachers and non-teaching staff.
A senior official of APSCHE also agreed that universities are big and absence of V-Cs will throw administration and academics out of gear, more so, at a time when the state varsities have turned into “political platforms.” “It's time we select some progressive people with strong leadership qualities to put the varsities back on track,” he said.
This month three technological universities – JNTU Hyderabad, JNTU Kakinada and JNTU Anantapur will be without regular V-Cs when engineering admissions would be in full swing. “Students will have several issues with admissions, hostels and affiliated colleges. You need a regular Vice-Chancellor in such circumstances and administration should ensure that new V-Cs are appointed immediately,” says a senior teacher of JNTU Hyderabad.
Though the government has recently issued a notification to fill up the existing vacancies and also the vacancies arising out of V-Cs completing their terms this month search committees for several universities are yet to be constituted. Apprehensions over the delay in appointments are also being raised in view of the volatile political atmosphere. The Telangana agitation and threats of paralysing the state administration from various groups will be another impediment.
