The process to appoint permanent Vice-Chancellors (VCs) to three prominent state universities in Tamil Nadu is gathering momentum, with dedicated search committees aiming to finalize and submit their candidate panels to the state government before the end of January. This development comes after a prolonged period of uncertainty due to legal hurdles.
Timelines and Processes for Each University
The search committees for Periyar University, Bharathidasan University, and Bharathiar University are operating on distinct but parallel tracks. For Periyar University, a three-member committee has completed scrutinizing applications and has scheduled interviews for January 24 at the Tamil Nadu Open University (TNOU) campus in Chennai. The panel's objective is to select a shortlist of three candidates from the interviewees.
In the case of Bharathidasan University, the search committee has called a meeting for January 13 to undertake the crucial task of scrutinizing all received applications. Following this evaluation, the committee members are expected to shortlist candidates who will then be called for personal interviews.
Regarding Bharathiar University, members of its search committee have indicated that they are prepared to convene a meeting in the very near future to advance the selection process. Multiple sources within these committees have confirmed that all procedures are targeted for completion within this month.
Legal Context and Government's Stance
The drive to conclude these appointments is set against a complex legal backdrop. The Madras High Court had imposed a stay on VC appointments across state universities in May of last year, which led to these search committees becoming inactive. However, the state government recently notified an extension of the tenures for these three committees until March 21, 2024.
Importantly, the government has urged the panels to resume their work, clarifying that the High Court's stay order did not explicitly restrain the functioning of the search committees themselves, but rather the final appointment decisions. This interpretation has allowed the selection process to move forward.
Former President of the Association of University Teachers (AUT), K Pandiyan, highlighted the broader impact, stating, "With the higher education system derailed due to headless universities in Tamil Nadu, we hope for early relief from the apex court." He added that the government is optimistic about a favorable order from the Supreme Court, which would enable it to formally appoint the selected VCs.
Awaited Supreme Court Hearing
The entire process hinges on an impending Supreme Court verdict. While there was speculation that the matter would be heard in the coming week, DMK MP and advocate P Wilson, who is representing the Tamil Nadu government in this case at the Supreme Court, provided a clarification. He told TOI on Saturday that his office had not received any official notification regarding the hearing date as of yet.
The resumption of the search committees' work marks a critical step towards resolving the leadership vacuum in these key institutions. The academic community and stakeholders are now keenly watching two parallel timelines: the January deadline for panel submissions and the eventual Supreme Court hearing that will determine the path forward for the appointments.
