UoM off the track in the absence of regular VC

Mysuru: The academic and administrative activities at the University of Mysuru (UoM) have lost track in the absence of a regular vice-chancellor, say experts and stakeholders. The term of the last vice chancellor of the university, G Hemanth Kumar, ended on November 15. Following this, H Rajashekar, dean of faculty of commerce, department of studies in commerce, was appointed as the acting VC. Last month, Muzaffar H Assadi, dean of faculty of arts, department of studies in political science, took over as the acting VC. The search committee, headed by MS Shivakumar, which met on December 20, had submitted three names for the VC post. However, the appointment process has been stayed by the high court on an appeal made by Rajashekar, who questioned the panel’s decision to not consider his application for the VC’s post. “The stay continues. I will continue to fight for my rights,” Rajashekar told TOI. According to sources in the state higher education department, with the state assembly election round the corner, the appointment of the VC is likely to be delayed as the issue is now sub judice. In 2016, the varsity faced a similar situation as the appointment of VC was delayed by over 10 months. Experts and stakeholders opine that the government should ensure that the University gets a regular VC at the earliest. MSS Kumar, a former UoM syndicate member, said the absence of a regular VC has been affecting the day-to-day functioning of the varsity. “Such a situation should have been avoided,” he said. “In the absence of a regular VC, the day-to-day functioning of the university gets affected. The acting VCs can’t take any major decisions. The university and its stakeholders including students will bear the brunt,” said MS Thimmappa, an academician and former vice chancellor of Bangalore University. “If the government decides, it can appoint a new VC on the day the incumbent demits office. But no one cares about these institutions,” he alleged. Higher education minister CN Ashwath Narayan didn’t reply to a query in this regard.
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