Fix qualifications for VCs: Academicians

COIMBATORE: With the AIADMK keen on cleaning up the higher education sector, academics are pressing to prescribe minimum qualifications for vice chancellor’s post, and member of the university syndicate, senate and search committees for vice chancellors.“It is the right time for State government to lay down norms for appointing vice chancellors to ensure that competent persons occupy the post. Similarly it must prescribe qualifications for members of the syndicate, senate and vice chancellor search committees too,” a senior academician said.Alternatively, the government can adopt the University Grants Commission norms that mandate a minimum of 10 years experience for a professor to qualify for a Vice Chancellor’s post.“Racketeers masquerading as industrialists had entered the syndicate and senate of major universities in recent years. Men of dubious credentials were nominated to Vice Chancellor search panels. The government must probe all non-academicians who were nominated to such bodies in the last five years,” he said.Prof E Balagurusamy, Member (Education), State Planning Commission said the government must ensure that only reputed academicians with 10 years experience as professor and with extensive administrative experience, proven leadership qualities and knowledge of financial intricacies should be appointed as Vice Chancellor.“Above all, he should be a person of unquestionable integrity,” Balagurusamy said adding that the search committee must comprise eminent persons who are at least of the rank of a former Vice Chancellor.  Right now, in some universities, lecturers and assistant professors were being nominated to search committees to shortlist Vice Chancellor-candidates.  “The search committee must call shortlisted candidates for an interaction and allow him/her to make a 30 to 60 minute presentation on their vision for the university. Now, the shortlist is being made on the basis of bio-data with inflated credentials,” he argued.Academics also insisted that the selection process must be transparent and the credentials of all applicants must be posted online.