| LUCKNOW: Almost a week after the goof wherein a suspended teacher was appointed as vice-chancellor of DDU University, Gorakhpur by the Chancellor BL Joshi, action is awaited against the teacher who submitted a false covering letter (declaration). Academics not only demand inquiry against the officials responsible but also seek changes in the current appointment process to make it more transparent.
The governor house, said former LU V-C Roop Rekha Verma, should fix responsibility to ensure no fraudulent credentials are submitted by a candidate. "There has been a considerable devaluation in the post of the V-C today. Though there is no substitute for honesty, I feel the list of candidates should be put on the website inviting both positive and negative comments,'' she said.
Advertising the post, academics feel, will facilitate lucid appointments. States like Maharashtra, Bihar, and Uttarakhand have already begun the advertisement route for appointment of V-Cs. "A vice-chancellor has to be searched for rather than being appointed - a reason why a search committee is constituted for selection,'' said a senior LU professor. He added that potential candidate is one who holds academic leadership traits rather than pure academics.
LU's senior professor Nishi Pandey said, "Advertisement would let open the merit-based selection. Best people would come forward for the position of V-C - the highest rung in the academic administrative area.'' The would-be V-Cs should be allowed to make a presentation like a vision statement, as is the practice in Central universities in South India, said Prof Pandey.
The process should be rigorous, educationists said. "Selection of a V-C can't be an individual's discretion,'' said a professor. Recalling the appointment of Acharya Narendra Dev as V-C of LU, he said, "When he joined BHU (after LU), virtually entire Lucknow was in tears and celebrations in Banaras were like Diwali. Such should be the potential of a V-C.''
"A non-academic person may be a good administrator but can do no good to the university. One should possess academic leadership. Those interested in manning a certain university should have a clear vision even before they are called for an interview,'' said a professor.
Debate was once again open on the minimum and maximum number of years for the V-C. Many universities in the West do not have a time-bound tenure of the V-C. The idea, academics say, is not to lose the 'suitable' person.
Names of the panelists (of search committee) should be made public, said Moulindu Mishra, former president, LU Associated Colleges Teachers' Association. |