BDU desists from appointing principals

Heads of seven of its 10 constituent colleges complete their tenure

Bharathidasan University has the highest number of constituent colleges in the State.

Bharathidasan University (BDU) has furnished to the Higher Education Department details about the completion of tenure of principals in seven out of its 10 constituent colleges.

Though the official order for takeover and conversion of the constituent units into government arts and science colleges is yet to be passed, the university has entrusted the task of appointing principals to the seven constituent units with the Higher Education Department based on the premise that the process of conversion had already begun after enforcement of the fee structure meant for government arts and science colleges in these institutions (constituent units), Vice-Chancellor P. Manisankar said.

Accordingly, the BDU had already taken steps for reimbursement of the tuition fee collected from students in the constituent colleges.

The issue of conversion of 41 constituent colleges in the State into government arts and science colleges was discussed in two review meetings of Vice-Chancellors chaired by the Principal Secretary of Higher Education Sunil Paliwal in the last two months. During the meetings, the Vice-Chancellors were instructed to maintain status quo in the number of guest faculties and the courses being offered.

Like most of the other universities, BDU had been following the practice of appointing retired professors as principals of the constituent colleges. In all likelihood, the existing principals will continue in the post till the government completes the process of takeover, it is learnt.

Incidentally, BDU has the highest number of constituent colleges in the State. These colleges have been functioning in Kurumbalur and Veppur in Perambalur district; Lalgudi and Navalurkuttapattu in Tiruchi district; Orathanadu in Thanjavur district; Nannilam and Thiruthuraipoondi in Thiruvarur district; Aranthangi in Pudukkottai district; and in Nagapattinam town and Vedaranyam in Nagapattinam district.

Since maintaining 10 constituent colleges had caused a huge dent on its finances, the BDU is looking forward to the complete handover of the constituent colleges to the higher education department at the earliest in order to focus more on research and be in a better position to secure better ranking from National Assessment and Accreditation Council.

In all likelihood, the present principals will be continuing even after completion of their tenure until the government completes the takeover process and makes new appointments on a permanent basis, sources said.