Bangalore University Faculty Raise Strong Objections to Committee Appointments
Faculty members at Bangalore University have voiced strong opposition to recent appointments within the university's administrative structure. They specifically object to the selection of syndicate and academic council members as chairpersons and members of the local inspection committee.
Core Responsibilities of the Inspection Committees
These local inspection committees hold significant authority over affiliated colleges. Their primary duties involve thorough inspections before granting or renewing college affiliations. Committees evaluate multiple critical areas including overall quality, infrastructure development, faculty strength, and compliance with established norms.
The Bengaluru University SC/ST Teachers' Association issued a detailed statement explaining their concerns. "The local inspection committee functions as both an academic and statutory body," the association emphasized. "It handles responsibilities like academic scrutiny, college and department evaluations, assessment of faculty numbers, curriculum relevance checks, laboratory facility inspections, research environment analysis, and verification of UGC and regulatory compliance."
Questioning Expertise and Experience Requirements
The association argues these responsibilities demand specific qualifications that syndicate members may lack. "Such important duties require deep academic expertise, substantial subject knowledge, and extensive teaching and research experience," they stated. "These qualifications naturally belong to senior faculty members who have spent years in academic environments."
Accusing the university administration of marginalizing the teaching community, the association highlighted an unusual practice. They noted that Bangalore University stands among very few institutions where syndicate members receive appointments as local inspection committee chairpersons.
Raising Fundamental Questions About Trust
"The current practice raises serious and unavoidable questions among teaching professionals," the association declared. "Does the university administration genuinely lack confidence in its own professors? Why bypass experienced faculty for these academically sensitive positions?"
The association has taken a firm stance regarding future cooperation. They announced that faculty members will refuse to participate in inspection processes until the university removes syndicate members from these committees.
University Administration Cites Legal Constraints
Bangalore University Vice-Chancellor Jayakara Shetty provided the administration's perspective on the controversy. He explained that the matter currently remains pending before the high court, creating legal complications.
"In previous academic years, a syndicate member obtained a stay order preventing his removal from the committee," Shetty clarified. "That judicial stay order has not been vacated yet. Given these legal circumstances, we face limited options and must continue including them in the local inspection committee."
The disagreement highlights ongoing tensions between academic faculty and administrative bodies at Bangalore University. Both sides present contrasting views about appropriate committee composition and the essential qualifications for evaluating academic institutions.
