Five universities left orphaned without regular VCs

HYDERABAD : Even as the Telangana state government is coming out with major policy decisions on various issues, higher education is yet to get necessary focus.

As on date, five state-run universities, including Osmania and Kakatiya, do not have regular vice-chancellors (VCs). The tenure of current vice-chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU), Hyderabad, is coming to an end on November 9. The six universities may have to wait till the next academic year before they get new vice-chancellors.

Currently, Osmania and BR Ambedkar Open University (BRAOU) are headed by principal secretary (education) Vikas Raj, as incharge VC. He took the charge after former OU VC S Satyanarayana's term ended in July.

Similarly, commissioner of technical education Shailaja Ramaiyer has been appointed as incharge VC of the Telangana University (Nizamabad) after VC Mohd Ali Akbar Khan's tenure ended in July this year.

In May, the state government asked Sathavahana University (Karimnagar) VC Prof K Veera Reddy to take over as incharge VC of Kakatiya University.

However, it is reliably learnt that Reddy has recently resigned from the post of KU incharge VC and his resignation is pending with the government. Besides, KU only has an incharge registrar.

With appointment of VC of Jawaharalal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University (Hyderabad) pending before the High Court for over a year, the varsity is being headed by incharge VC P Padmavathi.

With a 'major overhaul' in the functioning of universities top on the government's agenda, appointment of VCs may take more time, a senior official told.

'There are new guidelines from the University Grants Commission (UGC) vis-a-vis appointment of VCs. The government is still studying them. In addition, the government wants its own plans in place to improve academic standards,' he explained, hinting at possible delay in filling the VC posts.

Generally, for the appointment of a new VC, the State Council of Higher Education has to issue notification calling applications. This is followed by constitution of a search committee which recommends three applicants for the post. The state government sends this file to the Governor for the appointment of the VC.

Since the aforementioned practice is likely to take two to three months after it is initiated, senior officials expressed doubt over new VCs taking charge this academic year.

Meanwhile, others in the education department point to the government's lethargic attitude in dealing with the issue. 'Based on UGC guidelines, the state government has to draw its own guidelines regarding appointments.

The department has sought the government's view in a letter in June. But the government is yet to respond. Unless that is done, no notification can be issued,' a senior official said.

This being the case, both academic and administrative work is left unattended to, as acting VCs are overburended by their primary assignments. Except for routine work, all major decisions are put on the back burner, he added.