Recruitment of staff in varsities on hold

Recruitment of staff in varsities on hold

Shrinivasa.M@timesgroup.com

Mysuru: 27.08.2020

Following a warning from the University Grants Commission (UGC) that it would withhold grantin-aid if vacant posts are not filled in universities affiliated to it, varsities across the state had planned to roll out a recruitment process. To ensure transparency, the government had asked Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) to prepare a merit list and send it to universities concerned so that they could pick the best. KEA had even planned to write up dedicated software for the process.

However, in a big jolt to universities just ahead of a new academic year, the finance department has asked them to put the recruitment process on hold till further orders. Sources in the state higher education department say the diktat is for all universities.

Universities in the state are plagued by a crippling shortage of teaching — by as much as 60% in several varsities. Data shows that in 19 state universities, 838 assistant professors, 536 associate professor and 354 professor posts are vacant.

“All universities have been asked not to go ahead with the hiring process due to the prevailing Covid- 19 crisis,” a source said. Additional chief secretary (higher education) EV Ramana Reddy said there is a general ban on recruitment across the state.

An official in the higher education department said, “The Covid-19 crisis requires huge resources. Universities have been directed to continue with the old system of guest faculty to teach and conduct practical classes. The government is likely to move towards a centralised recruitment process for all universities, once the situation returns to normal.”

G Hemantha Kumar, vicechancellor, University of Mysore, said: “We are sure that once the Covid-19 crisis blows over, we will get permission to continue with the recruitment process. All formalities including necessary approvals for recruitment have been obtained.”