Anbumani accuses TN govt of destroying higher education by keeping posts vacant in universities

CHENNAI: PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss on Friday accused the Tamil Nadu govt of destroying higher education by leaving nearly 50% of teaching and non-teaching faculty positions vacant in 21 state universities.In a statement, Anbumani said RTI data revealed stark shortages of faculty members in universities. He said 56% of posts are vacant in Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University, 40-50% in 14 universities, including Manonmaniam Sundaranar University and Bharathidasan University, and a shocking 65% vacancies in the University of Madras out of 515 posts. Only 35% of positions (180) are filled there, with 85% of associate professor slots and 67% of assistant professor posts remaining vacant, he said.He highlighted that universities prioritise research, unlike colleges, but lack experienced faculty, which halts PhD guidance and projects. The govt relies on guest lecturers, who lack accountability, stalling academic progress since 2014.