While most universities are struggling to fill up vacancies in teaching positions, the Sri Padmavathi Mahila Viswa Vidyalayam (SPMVV) has raised the bar when it comes to maintaining an adequate student-teacher ratio.
After Andhra University and Sri Venkateswara University, SPMVV is the third oldest in the State, followed by Acharya Nagarjuna University and Sri Krishnadevaraya University. Other varsities, established in each district, were formed in the last decade. Unlike other universities which have regional jurisdictions, SPMVV is a State University where the entire State of Andhra Pradesh is considered as a unit for admission.
The 137 sanctioned posts in the university are spread over 17 departments (ten arts and seven sciences) imparting training in 59 courses. "There are only 17 vacant positions in SPMVV," in-charge Vice-Chancellor V. Uma said.
As the academicians rise in their position from assistant professor to associate professor and further to professor, many are in the creamy positions of professors and associate professors, leaving the entry-level post of assistant professor vacant.
"We have also successfully filled five out of the 12 backlog positions last year," Prof. Uma added. These apart, there are several posts of assistant professors and academic consultants for the self-financing courses that are not in the reckoning.
Though the rationalisation committee recommended ‘trimming’ of positions in many universities five years back, it identified SPMVV as requiring more positions in tune with the growing demand. In 2017, the varsity had written to the UGC seeking sanction of extra positions to meet the minimum criteria on faculty strength as per UGC norms, but was reportedly told that the plea could be considered once the unfilled vacancies are filled.
