The registrar of Anna University for over five years, S. Shanmugavel, has resigned from his post.
S. Sivanesan, dean of the AC Tech Campus of the University, from the department of applied sciences and technology has been appointed as the registrar-in-charge, in his place.
Mr. Shanmugavel, who belongs to the electronics and communication engineering department, had served as the director of affiliation for many years before he became the registrar.
He had submitted his resignation on November 1, but university officials had not accepted it. Mr. Shanmugavel had then met officials of the department of education seeking approval of his resignation. He was relieved of his post of Tuesday.
While sources say the registrar quit owing to differences with the university’s Vice Chancellor, some professors say it could be due to mounting pressure on the registrar over the issue of an exam malpractice that surfaced a few months ago in which some students who had failed in exams, were given pass marks.
V-C Kaliraj, however, said the resignation had nothing to do with the malpractice issue, and that it was due personal reasons. “He is an excellent researcher and he just wanted to go back to his department,” he added.
Many professors have also expressed their discontent over the appointment of Prof. Sivanesan (50) as registrar-in-charge. “This post can only be decided only in the syndicate. There are many senior professors but the V-C has ignored them and gone ahead with a junior member,” a professor said.
Prof Kaliraj, however, said the appointment was only an interim one and the decision would be taken in the next syndicate meeting.
