The Save University Campaign Committee (SUCC) has approached Governor Rajendra Arlekar, seeking his intervention against the appointment of Digital University Vice-Chancellor (VC) Saji Gopinath as the interim Executive Vice-President of the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE). The government had earlier postponed an interview schedule for the selection of a new Executive VP following widespread protests.
In its petition, SUCC urged the Governor to initiate disciplinary action against Gopinath, alleging that he assumed the Executive VP post as an additional responsibility without obtaining prior approval from the Chancellor, who is the appointing authority. According to SUCC, the VC was required to secure the Chancellor's permission before taking on the additional charge.
The committee further argued that only individuals with expertise in science or technology are eligible for the Executive VP position. Gopinath, a management professor at IIM Kozhikode, is not a scientist, making his appointment against the rules. SUCC highlighted a contradiction in the government's stance: while it had previously taken disciplinary action against Ciza Thomas for assuming additional responsibilities as the interim VC of KTU without government approval, it has now granted the additional charge of KSCSTE to Gopinath without the Governor's approval.
SUCC's demand underscores concerns over procedural lapses and eligibility criteria in key academic appointments in Kerala.
