MUTA sweeps polls of Madras university

CHENNAI: Candidates fielded by the Madras University Teachers Association (MUTA) have won eleven out of 16 seats in the elections to the syndicate and senate.
The results, which came late on Saturday evening, declared candidates who were selected to the top decision-making bodies and the standing committee of the university. Welcoming the results, senior academics said they were surprised."Many candidates who enjoyed support of local politicians and a senior higher education deputy director have been defeated," said an academic council member.
On Saturday, TOI reported that the city mayor had made calls to principals and professors seeking votes for a section of candidates who were close to the ruling party. While the syndicate, similar to a cabinet, is the crucial executive body of the university, the senate is the supreme policy making body, like an assembly.
About 230 academic council members voted in the election representing different unions of professors from university departments, aided and un-aided colleges. Candidates who won majority of the seats belong to MUTA and its affiliated associations, including Tamil Nadu Principal's Association (TNPA), Madras University Coordination Council (MUCC), Association of University Teachers (AUT) and the Tamil Nadu College Teachers Association (TNGCTA).