KOCHI: The recent decision of the Mahatma Gandhi University syndicate to reinstate Dr I. Ibnusaud as the director of Institute of Intensive Research in Basic Sciences (IIRBS) has raised eyebrows since a vigilance inquiry over alleged fund misappropriation is proceeding against him. Vice-chancellor Dr Babu Sebastian had informed the syndicate about the vigilance inquiry, but its new members took the stand that unless and until proved guilty he is innocent and hence there was nothing wrong in placing him.
Dr Ibnusaud, a chemical sciences professor and IIRBS's founder director, had held the post from 2005-06 till 2014. Last Syndicate which took the decision that academicians should hold the position of directors in rotation removed him and the registrar was in charge of it for nine months before biosciences professor Dr M.S. Latha was placed there.
The last syndicate took this step as it felt that professors were holding on to such positions making it their ‘little kingdoms’. However, K Sharafudeen, a current syndicate member, said Dr Ibnusaud was brought back as the director as the functioning of the institute had derailed since he left and even admission could not be held this time. “He was brought back as per the recommendation of a five-member Syndicate committee. Now the admissions have to be conducted,” said Mr Sharafudeen.
One of the members of the five-member committee Aji C. Panicker said that Dr Ibnusaud held the maximum number of patents in the varsity and had international research publications also. “The institute has not been able to leverage its potential and currently focuses on chemistry and hence he is most eligible to be in command of it. He is in command of a research grant of Rs 3.5 crore and institute gets Rs 3.5 crore NABARD funding also. Only flimsy allegations are against him which are more personal,” he said.
