Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Governor should appoint VC recommended by Government

• Data bank of academics suggested
• Post of pro-vice-chancellor recommended

Bangalore: A committee constituted to suggest amendments to the Karnataka State Universities Act has, in its report submitted to the Government here on Tuesday, recommended that all universities of the State irrespective of the disciplines be brought under a common Act.

In an effort to draw curtains over the controversy relating to appointment of vice-chancellors, the committee said the Governor shall appoint the academic recommended by the State Government to the post of vice-chancellor of a university from the panel of three persons as suggested by a search committee. The committee also suggested maintenance of a data bank of eminent academics by the State Council for Higher Education for selecting persons for appointment to the posts of vice-chancellor. However, the report said that the search committee can also be empowered to identify the names of eminent academics on its own.

The committee, headed by N.R. Shetty, also recommended creation of a post of pro-vice chancellor in each university and appointing a member of the teaching faculty having a minimum of 10 years’ experience in teaching and research to the post.

Unlike in the present system where the posts of registrar are reserved for officers from All India Services, the committee suggested to modify the provision to allow appointment of academics to the posts. In an attempt to resolve disputes, the committee suggested the constitution of the Universities’ Tribunal, headed by a judge of the Karnataka High Court, primarily for adjudication of disputes relating to students; issues with regard to admission, examinations, etc.

Receiving the report, Higher Education Minister Arvind Limbavali said the Government will make all efforts to implement the committee’s recommendations at the earliest after consolidating the views of the departments.

The committee, comprising Geetha Bali, Vice-Chancellor, Karnataka State Women’s University, S.K Saidapur, Vice-Chancellor, Karnatak University, B.S. Sonde, K.V. Krishna Bhat, A.M. Narahari and R. Ananth as members, was set up in October 2008.