Appointment of V-Cs for Varsities: Selection process hits a roadblock

Hyderabad: Shifting of the State Secretariat and delay in constitution of the selection committee have delayed the appointment of vice-chancellors of the nine State universities.

According to sources, earlier it was decided to complete the process of appointment of vice-chancellors by the second week of August.

However, in the present situation it appears as a remote possibility. It may be mentioned here that on receiving applications a government-appointed search committee will have to scrutinise the same on the specified eligibility criteria.

This committee includes nominees from the State government, a member from the university concerned and a nominee from the UGC. In turn, the search committee will prepare a list of eligible candidates.

On receipt of the same, the State government will send a list of three candidates against the vacancy of the vice-chancellor of each university to the State Governor.

Speaking to The Hans India, a senior official from the State Higher Education Department (SHED) said, "There are few issues relating to the nominations from the government side.

As of now, all the nine universities are headed by IAS officers as in charge vice-chancellors. This makes the composition of the selection committee heavily tilted with government nominees.

Except for one representative from the Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE) and another nominee from the University Grants Commission (UGC)," the official added. Earlier, responding to a letter from the SHED, the UGC had informed its nominee for the search committee.

This has given hope that the process would be completed as planned by the second week of August.

However, there is a sense of hesitation on the part of the SHED. Because, along with State Education Secretary Dr B Janardhan Reddy, the search committee will have more IAS officers and no nominees from the academics.

In addition, the intervening holidays has also delayed the process and now, the shifting of the Secretariat has brought everything to a grinding halt.

There is no possibility of taking forward the selection process before the end of August, this year.

Given the current scenario, the appointment of vice-chancellors could be completed only in September provided that the process does not face any further hurdles.

Otherwise, along with the delay in the appointment of VCs the process of appointment of faculty positions, hanging fire for the last two and half years will also be delayed further," the sources said.