Magadh University Vice-Chancellor Appointment Faces Significant Delays
The selection process for appointing a new vice-chancellor at Magadh University has encountered substantial delays, with the search committee yet to be constituted due to ongoing questions about its proposed composition. This procedural holdup is expected to prolong the appointment timeline considerably, leaving the university's leadership in a temporary state of uncertainty.
Current Leadership Arrangements and Application Process
The vice-chancellor position became officially vacant on February 14 following the completion of Shashi Pratap Shahi's three-year term. Governor-cum-chancellor of Bihar universities, Arif Mohammed Khan, has authorized the outgoing VC to continue holding office until a successor is appointed or until further directives are issued, whichever occurs first.
Although the precise number remains undisclosed, sources indicate that several dozen qualified academics have submitted applications for the prestigious position. Applicants include professors under 67 years of age from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi, with January 5 serving as the final deadline for submissions.
Regulatory Conflicts Complicating Committee Formation
Experts have identified a significant inconsistency between the Bihar State Universities Act, 1976 (including all amendments to date) and the University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations from 2018 regarding the composition of search committees. This regulatory conflict represents a major obstacle to moving forward with the appointment process.
The Bihar Act specifies that the search committee should comprise three members: an eminent scholar or academician nominated by the chancellor as chairman, a director or head of a national-level institute or a vice-chancellor of a statutory university nominated by the chancellor, and an eminent academician nominated by the state government. In contrast, the UGC regulation 2018 mandates the inclusion of a UGC representative within the search committee structure.
Concerns About Representation and Governance
Kusum Kumari, a former vice-chancellor, has emphasized the critical importance of adhering to UGC guidelines when constituting the selection committee. She expressed regret that women are typically excluded from these committees, resulting in inadequate representation. "Without representation at all levels, women empowerment remains just another slogan," she asserted, highlighting systemic issues in university governance structures.
The continuation order for the current vice-chancellor includes specific restrictions. According to notifications issued by the principal secretary to the governor-cum-chancellor, the VC must obtain prior approval from the chancellor before making any significant decisions, creating a constrained interim leadership arrangement.
Calls for Resolution and Transparency
Sunil Singh, MLC and general secretary of the Federation of University Teachers Associations of Bihar (FUTAB), has called for an immediate end to what he describes as "adhocism" in university administration. While advocating for expedited appointment proceedings, Singh stressed that the position must be filled through a fair and transparent selection process that maintains institutional integrity.
The ongoing delay in constituting the search committee, combined with regulatory conflicts and representation concerns, has created a complex situation for Magadh University. Stakeholders await resolution of these issues to ensure stable leadership and continued academic progress at the institution.
