T.N. govt. will expedite steps to appoint V-Cs at State universities, says Minister

T.N. govt. will expedite steps to appoint V-Cs at State universities, says Minister

A view of Bharathiar University campus in Coimbatore. 11.10.2024

Higher Education Minister Govi. Chezhian chairs review meeting of Higher Education Department for the first time since being inducted into the T.N. Cabinet; he says department will decide on inclusion of UGC representative on search panel

The Hindu Bureau

CHENNAI

The Tamil Nadu Higher Education Department will expedite measures to fill vacanct posts of vice-chancellor and registrar at the State-run universities, Minister for Higher Education Govi. Chezhian said on Thursday.

Speaking to presspersons after chairing a review meeting of the department for the first time since he was inducted into the State Cabinet, he said, “Tamil Nadu stands first in the country in Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education. Schemes such as Naan Mudhalvan, Pudhumai Penn, and Tamil Pudhalvan play an important role in encouraging students to pursue education. The primary objective of the department is the overall development of all students.”

Continuing deadlock

To a question on the deadlock between Governor R.N. Ravi and the government over the inclusion of a representative from the University Grants Commission (UGC) in the vice-chancellor search committees, Mr. Chezhian said, “The Chief Minister has asked that tussles be avoided and the rules and regulations be followed in the interest of students. The department will hold consultations with senior officials to decide on this matter.”

Speaking about a recent clash between groups of students of two Chennai colleges, in which a student lost his life, he said the government was organising counselling programmes on college campuses to curb such issues.