University appointments: Resolution against UGC draft regulations passed

Stating that new regulations also open up the VC position for senior-level individuals in industry, experts said such appointment could adversely impact with future of the institutions

Hyderabad: Former academicians, bureaucrats and a retired judge passed a resolution against the UGC draft regulations on the appointment of VCs and staff in the universities.

According to the resolution, the UGC’s idea of vesting the authority of appointing VCs with the Governors reduces the role of the State governments and attacks the idea of federalism.

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Stating that new regulations also open up the VC position for senior-level individuals in industry, public administration, public policy or public sector undertakings, experts said such appointment could adversely impact with future of the institutions as senior officers from industry are neither familiar with the needs of an academic institution nor cultures of free thought necessary for academic excellence.

Opposing five-year tenure for VC as against three-year in States like Telangana, the experts felt that three-year term allowed the universities to recover and rebuild from adverse impact of tenures of some dubious VCs.

Some of signatories include Supreme Court former judge Justice Sudarshan Reddy, NCPCR former chairperson Prof Shantha Sinha, UoH retired professor Haragopal, and MLC Prof M Kodandaram.