A number of faculty members from colleges across Tamil Nadu has alleged lack of transparency in the organisation of orientation programme and refresher courses by the University Grants Commission - Human Resource Development Centre (UGC-HRDC) at Madurai Kamaraj University.
While two orientation programmes and refresher courses on nine subjects were scheduled to happen from November 9, 2018 to November 29, 2018, they were postponed to November 16, 2018 at the last minute without proper announcement, the faculty members alleged.
Similarly, though interested persons had been asked to apply a month before the commencement of the course, the list of candidates selected for the course has not been published yet.
Participation in the orientation programmes and refresher courses organised by UGC-HRDCs functioning in different universities is mandatory for promotions and pay increments and therefore attract large number of applications.
Sources in MKU said that over 2,000 applications were received for the courses scheduled for November, of which only around 60 will be selected.
An Assistant Professor from Cuddalore district, who had applied for the refresher course, said that the original schedule of MKU was ideal as it coincided with semester vacation for most colleges in the State.
“However, we did not receive any communication until the Deepavali holidays began. Then we got to know from fellow applicants that an announcement was put up on the website that the course had been postponed,” she said.
R. Suresh, State Joint Secretary (General), Tamil Nadu Government College Teachers’ Association, said that a similar course organised by UGC-HRDC in Madras University had commenced as per schedule.
“In case of MKU, even the selection list has not been published yet,” he said, alleging that due process is not being followed in the selection.
“Ideally, as per UGC guidelines, those waiting for pay increase or promotions under the Career Advancement Schemes must be given priority. However, this is not done even during the courses organised at MKU in March this year,” he claimed.
Denying the allegations, V. Kalaiselvan, Director (in-charge), UGC-HRDC, MKU, said that absolute transparency was being followed in the organisation of these courses.
Stating that administrative delays due to the absence of Vice-Chancellor and importantly lack of release of funds from UGC had resulted in unavoidable postponement of the course, he said that selection list had been finalised as per procedure.
“Selected candidates will be intimated by Monday. The list will also be uploaded on website,” he added.
