Kerala Governor Revamps University Faculty Appointment Process with Fresh Guidelines
In a significant move aimed at streamlining higher education governance, Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar has issued new directives for appointing the governor's representative to selection committees responsible for university faculty appointments. This action aligns strictly with the University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations and seeks to address long-standing inefficiencies in the recruitment process.
Immediate Cancellation of Existing Nominee List
The order, disseminated from Lok Bhavan to all vice-chancellors across state universities, explicitly cancels the existing list of chancellor's representatives that had been in use for the past decade. For years, universities have relied on this outdated roster to include governor nominees in selection committees, a practice that has now been deemed inadequate due to widespread non-participation.
It came to Lok Bhavan's attention that many of these previously listed nominees failed to attend selection committee meetings, leading to delays and potential compromises in the faculty appointment process. This revelation prompted the urgent issuance of fresh guidelines to ensure more effective and timely participation.
New Protocol for Requesting Chancellor's Nominees
Under the revised framework, universities must now formally request a chancellor's nominee before initiating any faculty appointment proceedings. Each request must be accompanied by comprehensive details regarding the specific faculty positions being filled, including the number of vacancies and subject areas involved.
The chancellor's representative will be selected based on expertise in the subject where the maximum number of faculty appointments is required, ensuring that selection committees benefit from specialized knowledge and informed decision-making.
Strict Timelines and Renewal Requirements
Once a nomination is received, universities are mandated to form the selection committee and complete the faculty appointment within a strict two-month window. Should any delays occur beyond this period, institutions must request a new nominee, thereby preventing prolonged vacancies and maintaining academic continuity.
This procedural overhaul is expected to curb attempts by some universities to expedite faculty appointments hastily, particularly before the conclusion of a government's term, thereby promoting transparency and merit-based recruitment in Kerala's higher education sector.
