The Syndicate of the Kerala University (KU), which met under the chairmanship of Vice Chancellor in-charge Gopinath Ravindran on Saturday, resolved to address the persisting issues relating to research and conduct of examinations.
The first Syndicate meeting after the completion of former Vice Chancellor P.K. Radhakrishnan’s tenure witnessed deliberations pertaining to the responsibilities of the Vice Chancellor. The Registrar has been delegated additional powers pertaining to administrative matters. The official will here on be responsible for adopting key decisions, including the internal transfer and posting of employees.
The meeting discussed the difficulties faced by research scholars. It was proposed to organise an adalat for hearing complaints, including those pertaining to PhD registration. The Standing Committee on Academics and Research will finalise the modalities for the programme.
Valuation
A discussion held with representatives of teachers’ organisations decided to adopt immediate steps to resolve the crisis in the conduct of examinations. The meeting concluded that valuation for undergraduate courses will be centralised and that at the postgraduate level will be held at colleges.
While the appointment of a new Pro Vice Chancellor (PVC) was among the agenda for the meeting, the Syndicate deferred the decision, considering that the post is co-terminus and PVC’s term would come to an end when Dr. Ravindran makes way for the new Vice Chancellor.
P.P. Ajayakumar, Professor of English, School of Distance Education, appears to be the front-runner for the post of the next PVC.
The Syndicate also decided to reconstitute the Internal Quality Assurance Cell of the university. During the session, Syndicate member Prathin Saj Krishna sought the removal of T. Vijayalakshmi, Director of Department of Student Services, accusing her of adopting unilateral decisions that went against the interests of the student community.
