Tirupati: Lack of permanent V-C puts Sri Venkateswara University in spot

Tirupati: Appointment of permanent vice-chancellor for Sri Venkateswara University has been kept pending by the state government for the last one year. It may be noted that a year ago the then VC Rajendra Prasad had resigned from the post on personal grounds. Afterwards government did not appoint a new Vice Chancellor.

With this, many administrative matters like new teachers recruitment and follow up of research and development activities in the university received a setback. About six months ago, AP Higher Education Regulatory and Monitoring Commission (APHERMC) appointed a search committee for recommending the names to the government for the appointment of new VC. Due to some political reasons government had placed search committee recommendations in the dark, sources said. For the last one year, the university is running under the in-charge vice-chancellor. Presently, principal secretary for higher education Sathish Chandra is acting as in-charge VC of the SVU.

Owing to responsibilities at state level, the principle secretary is not able to concentrate on the issues of the university. The issue is being delayed due to intervention of a senior minister, it is alleged. One retired senior professor from Reddy community is aspiring the SVU VC post.

In the absence of a fulltime VC, the academic and research activities have been slowed down for the past few months. University Rector and Registrar are also new to administrative matters. Due to corona virus affect all the teaching sessions were closed for the last three months. Officials are not able to take any decision on conducting examinations to degree semester examinations. More than 70,000 students are in waiting for varsity decision.