Kochi: Selection of Vice Chancellors (VC) inf ive universities are under scanner after the recent Supreme Court verdict quashing the illegal appointment of APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University VC.
The Supreme Court had canceled the appointment of A P J Abdul Kalam Technical University VC Dr Rajasree M S by flouting UGC norms. A complaint filed by the Save University Campaign Committee in this regard is before the Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan who is on a mission to clean the university appointment process in the state.
There are allegations that the VCs of Kannur University, Sree Sankara University, Kalady, Kerala University of Fisheries and Oceans Studies University, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, and Kerala University, Thiruvananthapuram, were appointed illegally.
The UGC guideline stipulates that a Search cum Selection Committee (SSC) should recommend names of three to a five-member panel. The Governor, who is the chancellor, selects the VC from the names suggested by the SSC.
The appointment of VCs in the universities in the state has allegedly been controlled by the state governments for a long time. Of late, the appointment of Kerala Chief Minister’s Private secretary’s wife Priya Varghese in Kannur University kicked off the fight between the Governor and State Government.
Priya, who was in the rock bottom of the list prepared on the basis of her research score and experience, was placed at the top after the interview.
