Kerala government initiates Vice-Chancellor appointments at KTU and DUK

Expediting the appointment process for Vice-Chancellors at APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) and Digital University Kerala (DUK), the State government has issued notifications inviting applications from eligible candidates.

The move comes against the backdrop of a recent directive from the Supreme Court, which appointed former Supreme Court judge Sudhanshu Dhulia as chairperson of the search-cum-selection committee tasked with selecting the Vice-Chancellors for both the universities. The court has authorised the chairperson to establish either separate or joint search-cum-selection committees for each university.

The Higher Education department is the nodal department entrusted with inviting applications for the appointment process. The notifications call for distinguished academicians with at least 10 years of experience as a professor at a university, or 10 years of experience in a renowned research or academic administrative organisation, along with proven academic leadership. Applicants should not have attained 61 years of age as of the notification date (August 23).

Term of four years

The appointed Vice-Chancellor will serve a term of four years or until reaching the age of 65, whichever is earlier. The deadline for submitting applications is 6 p.m. on September 19.

According to official sources, the applications will be scrutinised by the Higher Education department before being forwarded to the chairperson of the search-cum-selection committee.

For CM’s consideration

The Supreme Court ordered that the recommendations of the committee be submitted to the Chief Minister for consideration. If the Chief Minister deems any candidate unsuitable, he can provide feedback and supporting material, which will be forwarded to the Governor, who also serves as the Chancellor of the universities. The Chief Minister may also recommend the shortlisted candidates in a specific order of preference for the Vice-Chancellor roles within two weeks.

The Chancellor is required to make the appointments in the same order of preference as recommended by the Chief Minister. He will also be able to express reservations against the empanelled names and/or the remarks by the Chief Minister.

Approval in two weeks

The Chancellor has been directed to accord his approval within two weeks of the receipt of the file from the Chief Minister, except when there is a difference of opinion. The Supreme Court will take a final decision in the event of a disagreement.

The State government had submitted five names each to the Supreme Court for the formation of the search-cum-selection committees, while the Chancellor provided a single set of eight names.