Kochi: A controversy is brewing over Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) vice-chancellor Dr J. Letha delaying action against the International School of Photonics (ISP) director Dr A. Mujeeb and emeritus professor Dr V. P. N. Nampoori after a peer-reviewed international journal reported malpractices in their paper published with Dr P. Radhakrishnan, another emeritus professor at the ISP.
The last Syndicate meeting on June 24 chaired by the VC had decided to keep away Dr Mujeeb and annul the extension granted to Dr Nampoori while no action was recommended against Dr Radhakrishnan.
However, Dr Mujeeb and Dr Nampoori continue in their respective positions. Syndicate member Dr A. Sabu said such decisions are implemented immediately without waiting for approval of the minutes by the next meeting.“Decisions related to appointments, transfers and disciplinary action are implemented immediately, which turn starred items on the agenda. Why the VC who is authorised delaying it?” he told DC on Sunday.
Dr Letha said she had received an explanation from the professors and had found it reasonable. “So I have decided to take the issue to the next meeting and then make a decision. Moreover, a three-member subcommittee has been authorised to probe the issue and let its report come,” she told DC.
"It is the prerogative of the VC to decide a starred item."She also said the three authors had sent an explanation to the Journal (‘Applied Physics (A) Material Science and Processing’ published by prestigious international publishing house Springer,) in this regard and they are yet to get a reply.
“Let that also come,” she said and added before the last meeting she did not get much time to study it as she was away. The journal reviewers had identified that the authors used cooked up data to support their paper, which they viewed seriously.
Varsity sources said the journal authorities also published a note of concern warning international scientific community in this regard as the ISP failed to respond to its communiqué.
They ‘doctored’ data
A peer-reviewed international journal reported malpractices in paper presented by International School of Photonics director Dr A. Mujeeb and emeritus professor Dr V. P. N. Nampoori, published with Dr P. Radhakrishnan, another emeritus professor at the ISP.
