HALL OF SHAME
Credibility of Thiruvalluvar univ selection panel disputed
Shanmughasundaram.J@timesgroup.com
Vellore: With the Thiruvalluvar University caught in a web of corruption charges, questions are now being raised about the credibility of the selection committee and allegations over irregularities in the appointment of the head of the university’s examination wing.
The appointment of B Senthil Kumar as professor of the Zoology Department on November 11, 2010 is being questioned by a section of academicians. They allege that he misrepresented the facts and influenced the selection committee. Kumar is the Controller of Examination (CE) in-charge for the last one year.
According to details availed under RTI Act, Kumar had attended an interview for the post of associate professor and professor on September 22, 2010. The seven-member selection committee headed by then Vice-Chancellor A Jothi Murugan awarded him 493/ 700 marks for associate professor and 538 marks (out of 700) for professor when the selection process and parameters for awarding marks were the same for both posts. He was given more marks for three parameters – teaching competency test, vision plan, co-curricular activities and interview. Interestingly, the committee awarded him 70 marks for ‘project carried out’ for the post of professor, while it gave him 38 marks for the same category for associate professor, according to details availed under RTI Act.
For publication of books, Kumar was awarded 10 marks as against the maximum mark of 5 by one of the members of the panel in the interview for associate professor. Similarly, he was awarded 10 marks for higher qualification (Doctor of Science) and the maximum mark was 5. He has not enrolled for Doctor of Science till date.
Though Kumar wrote ‘Nil’ in the vision plan, he was awarded 30 mark (professor) and 21marks (associate professor) respectively. “Going through the pattern of marks awarded to the candidates, it shows that the selection committee had conducted the interview in an unfair manner with an ulterior motive to favour a certain candidate. It should be probed thoroughly in the best interest of the university,” said a senior official in Thiruvalluvar University.
Vice-Chancellor of University K Murugan said records of all the staff were being checked to weed out corrupt practices and to take action against ineligible candidates. “We will also look into specific cases, if we receive complaints,” he said when asked about Senthil Kumar’s appointment.
A Sait Sahul Hameed, a renowned scientist and professor of C Abdul Hakeem College, approached the Madras high court and obtained stay order stating that Senthil Kumar was awarded more marks under each category, both on account of false representations and fabrication of records and arbitrary exercise of power by the members of the selection committee.
Senthil Kumar told TOI that he represented the case and the court passed an order in his favour. “I am targeted by persons with vested interests,” he said.
The court vacated the stay and dismissed the petition following the university’s affidavit.
Credibility of Thiruvalluvar univ selection panel disputed
Shanmughasundaram.J@timesgroup.com
Vellore: With the Thiruvalluvar University caught in a web of corruption charges, questions are now being raised about the credibility of the selection committee and allegations over irregularities in the appointment of the head of the university’s examination wing.
The appointment of B Senthil Kumar as professor of the Zoology Department on November 11, 2010 is being questioned by a section of academicians. They allege that he misrepresented the facts and influenced the selection committee. Kumar is the Controller of Examination (CE) in-charge for the last one year.
According to details availed under RTI Act, Kumar had attended an interview for the post of associate professor and professor on September 22, 2010. The seven-member selection committee headed by then Vice-Chancellor A Jothi Murugan awarded him 493/ 700 marks for associate professor and 538 marks (out of 700) for professor when the selection process and parameters for awarding marks were the same for both posts. He was given more marks for three parameters – teaching competency test, vision plan, co-curricular activities and interview. Interestingly, the committee awarded him 70 marks for ‘project carried out’ for the post of professor, while it gave him 38 marks for the same category for associate professor, according to details availed under RTI Act.
For publication of books, Kumar was awarded 10 marks as against the maximum mark of 5 by one of the members of the panel in the interview for associate professor. Similarly, he was awarded 10 marks for higher qualification (Doctor of Science) and the maximum mark was 5. He has not enrolled for Doctor of Science till date.
Though Kumar wrote ‘Nil’ in the vision plan, he was awarded 30 mark (professor) and 21marks (associate professor) respectively. “Going through the pattern of marks awarded to the candidates, it shows that the selection committee had conducted the interview in an unfair manner with an ulterior motive to favour a certain candidate. It should be probed thoroughly in the best interest of the university,” said a senior official in Thiruvalluvar University.
Vice-Chancellor of University K Murugan said records of all the staff were being checked to weed out corrupt practices and to take action against ineligible candidates. “We will also look into specific cases, if we receive complaints,” he said when asked about Senthil Kumar’s appointment.
A Sait Sahul Hameed, a renowned scientist and professor of C Abdul Hakeem College, approached the Madras high court and obtained stay order stating that Senthil Kumar was awarded more marks under each category, both on account of false representations and fabrication of records and arbitrary exercise of power by the members of the selection committee.
Senthil Kumar told TOI that he represented the case and the court passed an order in his favour. “I am targeted by persons with vested interests,” he said.
The court vacated the stay and dismissed the petition following the university’s affidavit.
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