Today(on 23rd April),Madras High Court expresses concern as three Tamil Nadu universities remain without Vice Chancellors for an extended period. Advocate B. Jagannath’s petition urges inclusion of a UGC nominee in the state’s search panel for Madras University’s VC selection.
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Chennai: Three universities in Tamil Nadu have been without Vice Chancellors for an extended period, today(on 23rd April) prompting concern from the Madras High Court. The issue arose during a hearing of a writ petition filed by advocate B. Jagannath, who called for the inclusion of a University Grants Commission (UGC) nominee in the state government’s search panel to identify suitable candidates for the Vice Chancellor position at Madras University.
Chief Justice Sanjay V. Gangapurwala and Justice J. Sathya Narayana Prasad, presiding over the bench, expressed dismay at the situation and stressed the importance of prioritizing academic excellence over internal disputes among authorities.
According to the Chief Justice-
“The universities have operated without vice chancellors for the past year. The court’s primary concern is the academic performance of the universities, prioritizing it over internal conflicts among different authorities. The court emphasizes the need for authorities to approach staffing the universities with sensitivity, with educational excellence being the sole criterion.”
During the hearing, senior counsel N.L. Rajah, representing the writ petitioner, informed the court about a recent judgment of the High Court in a Pondicherry University case, which ruled in favor of including a UGC nominee in the search panel.
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However, senior counsel P. Wilson, who represented the University of Madras, countered this argument by stating that the judgment in the Pondicherry University case had been stayed by the Supreme Court. He further emphasized that since the apex court was already addressing the issue, it was unnecessary to include a UGC nominee in the search panel.
The senior counsel representing the University of Madras expressed a desire to be impleaded in the current writ petition and opposed the petitioner’s plea for the inclusion of a UGC nominee. The judges acknowledged his submission and granted time until June 5 for filing the impleading petition and its subsequent numbering.
While addressing the issue at hand, the bench expressed dismay not only at the University of Madras but also at the two other universities in Tamil Nadu that have been without a vice-chancellor for an extended period. They also noted that the present writ petition had been adjourned multiple times since November 2023, at the instance of the state government.
In response to these concerns, Wilson argued that the delay in appointing a Vice Chancellor was solely due to the Governor’s involvement. The court took note of this contention but maintained its stance on the necessity of expediting the appointment process to ensure the smooth functioning and academic growth of the universities.
The absence of Vice Chancellors in these prestigious universities has raised several questions regarding the institution’s governance, decision-making, and overall academic standards. The role of a Vice Chancellor is crucial in maintaining the educational excellence and the smooth administration of an institution.
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The Madras High Court’s concern over the prolonged vacancy of Vice Chancellor positions reflects the need for swift action and collaboration among relevant authorities. While internal disputes persist, it is imperative that the focus remains on the quality of education and the overall development of the universities. The appointment of competent and qualified individuals as Vice Chancellors is pivotal in achieving these goals.
