The appointment of a permanent Principal for Delhi University’s Hindu College at an apex committee meeting scheduled for Monday has been postponed.
The apex committee comprises the Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Dean of Colleges, Director South Campus, Hindu College Governing Body Chairman and the Visitor’s nominee.
One of the oldest colleges in the University, Hindu College has not had a permanent Principal for over a year.
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The last permanent Principal was Dr. Kavita Sharma who proceeded on leave in August 2008. She resigned in February 2009. Since then Dr. D. N. Gupta, who teaches history in the college, has been the officiating Principal. He resigned in April this year on grounds of ill health. Dr. Subhash Chowdhary is currently the officiating Principal. “It is sad that a prestigious institution like the Hindu College has not had a permanent Principal for over a year,” Hindu College former officiating Principal Dr. D. N. Gupta said.
“The lack of a permanent Principal can cause instability in the institution. The term of any officer on special duty, acting or officiating Principal should be for a minimum period to prevent instability,” Dr. Gupta added.
A selection committee has shortlisted the names of Prof. Vinay Srivastava from the Department of Anthropology, Dr. Pradyuman Kumar, who teaches physics in Hindu College, and Dr. Manoj Sinha, who teaches political science at Ram Lal Anand College (Evening), for the post of the Hindu College Principal.
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Sources say the short-listing of a professor for the post of the Principal is unusual and does not have any precedent in Delhi University.
Professors usually have research based work while a Principal is involved in mainly administrative work and some teaching. Therefore some in the University are of the opinion that a professor may not be able to do justice to the office of Principal.
When contacted, Prof. Srivastava who is the only professor on the shortlist refused to comment on the matter.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Deepak Pental, who is part of the apex committee for selecting the Principal, said: “There is nothing to prevent a professor from applying for the post of Principal and all deserving candidates can apply.”
Pointing out that only one member on the shortlist was from Hindu College, Dr. Gupta said: “I am surprised that only one person from the college was on the shortlist. Does this imply that there is a lack of meritorious candidates in the college?”