UGC NORMS FOR VCS WILL KEEP OUT POLITICAL INTERFERENCE CHENNAI: In the last few years, several vice-chancellors have been removed across the country by the chancellors of universities for acts unbecoming of their position. Last month, the appointment of a VC in Tamil Nadu was set aside by the Madras high court for not fulfilling the essential minimum qualification prescribed by University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations. This has far-reaching implications for universities since many such improper appointments have gone unnoticed in several states for want of challengers. For many decades since the introduction of the university system in India in mid-19th century, the position of vice-chancellors was adorned by eminent scholars and distinguished statesmen who had commendable stature in society. Such personalities were identified and persuaded by search committees consisting of highly renowned academicians, scientists and administrators of impeccable credentials. It is only during the last two or three decades that political interference — bordering on scandals — has dominated the selection of VCs particularly in state universities. Though such practices are widely prevalent only in a few states, there are signs that other states will also get infected by this disease. Seriously concerned with this growing menace affecting the university system, the UGC brought out a regulation in 2010 prescribing the minimum qualifications for teachers in universities and colleges and for VCs. The clause 7.3.0 pertaining to VCs states: Persons of the highest level of competence, integrity, morals and institutional commitment are to be appointed as vice-chancellors. The vice-chancellor to be appointed should be a distinguished academician, with a minimum of ten years of experience as professor in a university system or ten years of experience in an equivalent position in a reputed research and academic administrative organization. This clause was abandoned in 2011 under pressure from vested interests but got restored in 2013 due to agitations by the academic community and coverage in the media. The UGC regulations provide for the manner of selection of VCs too. The members of the search committee shall be persons of eminence in the sphere of higher education and shall not be connected in any manner with the university concerned or its colleges. While preparing the panel of names of candidates, the search committee must give proper weightage to academic excellence, exposure to the higher education system in the country and abroad, and adequate experience in academic and administrative governance to be given in writing along with the panel to be submitted to the visitor/chancellor. This stipulation was included mainly to prevent persons of questionable standing gaining membership in the search committees. Section 7.4.0 of the UGC regulations required the State University Acts and Statutes to be aligned with the provisions of the regulations. Most states, however, chose to ignore it in order to preserve their prerogatives to appoint VCs of their choice. The insistence on the minimum qualifications of a VC is meant to ensure visionary leadership to the university in taking it forward to newer heights. An eminently qualified VC would have the moral power to advise the faculty on their role in teaching and research. He or she will be able to keep out undue external influences. The judiciary, in its wisdom, has recognized the importance of the provisions of the UGC regulations on minimum qualifications of the VCs and has set aside the improper appointments of the Madurai Kamaraj VC when it was brought to their attention. It is up to the academic community and responsible civil society to take advantage of this development to preserve the stature, dignity and credibility of our university system. (The writer is a former vice-chancellor of Anna University, present chairman of the board of governors of IIT-Kanpur, and a Padma Shri awardee)
Posted on: Sat, 05 Jul 2014 10:59:10 +0000
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