Academics oppose UGC’s draft regulations on V-C search panels ‘AN ATTACK’

Academics oppose UGC’s draft regulations on V-C search panels ‘AN ATTACK’

    

Ragu.Raman@timesofindia.com 15.01.2025

Chennai : Academicians in Tamil Nadu have opposed University Grants Commission’s (UGC) move to bring new regulations on vice-chancellor search committees. They say the proposed regulations are “giving an upper hand to the regulatory body in V-C appointments” and “new regulations are against the autonomy of the universities.”

 On its draft regulations on minimum qualifications for the appointment of teachers and academic staff in universities and colleges, the UGC brought changes to the existing statutes of the universities by proposing only three members to the V-C search panels – one each from the chancellor, UGC chairman and any one of the university bodies. It also fixes the common tenure of VCs as five years. The state govt, which funds the state universities, has no representation in the search committee. On Thursday, the Tamil Nadu Assembly passed a resolution urging the UGC to withdraw the regulations. Academicians asked the UGC to continue with exist ing guidelines on V-C appointments and build a consensus before bringing new regulations. 

N Rajendran, former vice-chancellor of Alagappa University, said the draft regulations gave an upper hand to the UGC in appointing the V-Cs. “The UGC should evolve consensus by conducting a meeting of state education ministers,” he said. P Duraisamy, former vice-chancellor of the University of Madras, said the UGC’s draft guidelines went against autonomy and flexibility. “The state govt is funding the state universities. But the state govt does not have any representation in the proposed V-C search committee by the UGC. There is no need for changing the existing rules. Allowing people other than academicians to become vice-chancellors will be detrimental to the growth of the university,” he said. 

Association of University Teachers state president M S Balamurugan said the UGC should follow the existing rules in V-C search committees. “Each state university is being separately governed by the statutes and laws passed by the state legislature assembly. The UGC is trying to change it by bringing new guidelines. It is against the welfare of students and faculty members,” Balamurugan said. 

“UGC’s new regulations are an attack on the autonomy of the state universities and state govts,” said K Yogarajan, state secretary of the All India Save Education Committee – Tamil Nadu chapter. However, E Balagurusamy, former vice-chancellor of Anna University, said the Tamil Nadu assembly had hurriedly passed a resolution urging the UGC to withdraw its regulations without understanding them in the correct perspective. “It is only a draft regulation and state govts, academics, and the public can send their suggestions and changes during the next 30 days,” he said. He called the UGC’s proposed new V-C search committee a “balanced committee representing all stakeholders.” Balagurusamy said the proposed regulations would ensure a fair and transparent approach in the selection of vice-chancellors by eliminating local biases and political interferences.