Leading varsities functioning without vice-chancellors

Chennai: University of Madras, Anna University and Madurai Kamaraj University, three premier universities in the state, are functioning without the vice-chancellors for several months.

Anna University’s Vice-Chancellor M. Rajaram vacated the office on May 26. But the VC search panel is yet to be formed by the government. Professors from the University of Madras complained that several administration decisions are kept pending and the important files are put on the back burner.
 

University of Madras Vice-Chancellor R. Thandavan’s term ended in January.

The failure to arrive at a consensus among the selection committee members in shortlisting VC candidates prolonged the delay of appointing the new vice-chancellor, professors said. Madurai Kamaraj University remains headless for more than a year.

“Without vice-chancellors, the administration of universities is crippled and many important decisions are pending. The convener committees can decide only on the routine matters. We are surprised that the University of Madras, which is the oldest university in the state, has remaining headless for more than six months,” said N. Pasupathy, general secretary, Association of University Teachers.