TS varsities to remain headless?

Hyderabad: In all likelihood the appointment of full time Vice-Chancellors in the Telangana universities may not happen this academic year.

• No full time VCs for OU, TU, KU, BRAOU & JNAFAU

Sources in the education department say that a file pertaining to ratification of new University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines for appointment of VCs has been held up with the chief minister office.

According to an official of the education department, the government wants a major revamp in the higher education system in the State which could be another reason for delay in the appointment of VCs.

Currently five universities viz. Osmania University (OU), Hyderabad; Telangana University (TU), Nizamabad; Kakatiya University (KU), Warangal; and Dr BR Ambedkar Open University, Hyderabad, are functioning without full time VCs.

The post of VC at Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University (JNAFAU), Hyderabad, got into legal tangle with the VC seeking an extension of her term from the Hyderabad High Court.

Sources in higher education department said that on November 9, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University-Hyderabad (JNTU-H), will join the list of no full time VCs as the present VC’s term would end on that date, taking the list of universities with no VCs to six.

The tenure of VCs in OU and TU ended in July, Kakatiya University VC’s in May and Dr BR Ambedkar Open University VC’s in February. So far the government is running these universities with in-charge VCs.

It is learnt that Satavahana University VC Prof. Veera Reddy who was given in-charge VC of KU resigned from the post. However, the government did not accept his resignation. Adding to it, KU does not have full time registrar too.

For appointing the VC, the state council of higher education has to issue a notification inviting applications for the post. After issuing notification, the government constitutes a search committee comprising a nominee from the State government, a member approved by executive council of a concerned university and a member from the UGC. The applications received are subjected to scrutiny by the search committee and three names are sent to the State government, which in turn are sent for approval to the Governor. The Governor appoints one candidate as VC. So far the government has not issued a notification in this regard.

An official of higher education department said that the process for appointing VC could be completed in two months if the notification was issued. However, reasons behind the delay are best known to the government.

With no VCs, administration works at these universities have been badly hit. It is learnt that files pertaining to universities finances had hit a road block as the in-charge VCs were reluctant to give a nod. Sources said that in-charges were overburdened with additional departments thus hampering the work.

A former VC of OU pointed out that though the universities have registrars. They have no power to take a decision on the financial issues of the university. “VC is the ultimate authority for giving nod to files. As the universities have deans, college heads, academics may not be a hit but administration is directly affected,” ex-VC added.

Universities in Andhra Pradesh are no different. JNTU-Kakinada, JNTU-Ananatpur, and Sri Krishnadevaraya University will have no full time VCs from November 10.

According to an official of Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education, the government had sought information on the tenure of the VCs and rectors (if present). “The government may speed up the process of appointing,” an official said.

With VCs post already vacant in some universities and a few other universities to follow in the days to come, students are worried about their academics.