Nagpur University is set to hold a crucial senate meeting on Friday, marking a significant milestone as it will be presided over by a full-time vice-chancellor for the first time in nearly one and a half years. The newly-appointed VC, Dr Manali Kshirsagar, who assumed charge just two days ago, will chair her first senate session amidst a backlog of unresolved matters demanding immediate attention.
Clearing the Backlog and Procedural Disputes
One of the primary tasks for the senate will be to formally finalize the proceedings of the two previous meetings held on March 8 and March 21. Senior members have emphasized that the university must first approve the pending minutes of these sittings before any new business can be addressed. A detailed action-taken report, outlining what was discussed in those meetings and the subsequent steps taken by the authorities, will be scrutinized point by point.
A major flashpoint is expected to be the election of a Scheduled Caste teacher representative to the university's management council. Members, including Manmohan Bajpai, have raised a red flag, alleging that the election notification was circulated a mere three days before the senate meeting. They argue this violates the state government's uniform statute, which mandates a 20-day advance notice for such elections. The university officials are likely to counter by citing updated statutes that allow a 15-day call for Senate meetings, but members insist that election notices cannot be clubbed with meeting notices and must adhere to the separate 20-day rule.
Operational and Administrative Challenges
Beyond procedural wrangles, senators have highlighted several pressing operational issues. A significant concern is the delay in submitting the statutory audit report. By law, this report must be completed within four months of the budget presentation in March. Bajpai pointed out that the Act permits more than two senate sittings, and the university should have convened a special meeting solely to present the overdue audit.
The agenda is also packed with other critical operational matters that are likely to spark debate. These include:
- The sudden and unexplained closure of the university's own IT Cell.
- The hiring of a private operator for conducting postgraduate examinations.
- Allegations of an excess supply of mark-sheet papers to this private agency.
- Prevailing confusion regarding the one-time PhD registration window and its alignment with UGC norms.
- Persistent discrepancies in fee structures for BBA courses under AICTE and non-AICTE categories.
A Crucial Test for New Leadership
This senate meeting represents a critical first test for Dr Manali Kshirsagar's leadership. Navigating the complex procedural dispute over the management council election will require deft handling to ensure the university's actions are beyond legal reproach. Furthermore, providing clear timelines and solutions for the delayed audit report and the myriad of operational hiccups will be essential to restoring confidence in the university's administration. The outcome of this meeting will set the tone for her tenure and signal how the institution plans to tackle long-pending governance and administrative challenges.
