Registrar on way out, Anna University to be headless

TNN | Nov 20, 2017, 07:00 IST

 

 

 

Academicians remarked the government should take the matter more seriously, provided the university is the nod... Read More

 

CHENNAI:It has been 18 months since Anna University had a vice-chancellor and in a week's time the tenure of the registrar ends too. Two search committees constituted for appointing a VC have come and gone, but the varsity continues to be headless.

There have also been no announcements about the third search committee supposed to have been constituted around November 15. This, even as the varsity looks to bring in new measures like the online counselling for the Tamil Nadu Engineering Admissions, the preparation for which will start in a few months.

Higher education secretary Sunil Paliwal said a search committee would be reconstituted in a week's time. "A syndicate meeting will be held during which the varsity will appoint a nominee," he said.

Sources in the department said there is only one nominee appointed so far. The government's nominee is ex-IAS officer Sundaradevan while the governor's nominee is yet to be decided. Another nominee will be elected during the next syndicate meeting of the varsity, officials said.

Academicians remarked the government should take the matter of appointing a VC much more seriously, provided the university is the nodal centre for engineering admissions to colleges across the state.

Former VC E Balaguruswamy said, "This is not even a matter of months, its extending to years. There is no routine followed, no plan and no development. For efficient running of such campuses and exchange of academic ideas, the incoming V-C should ideally be appointed before the exit of the former one. The new VC should be introduced to the existing issues on campus by the retiring authority ," he said.

Political delays also impact these decisions, said an education department official who wished to remain anonymous.