The committee which selects the Vice-Chancellors is called ‘search committee’ and is supposed to search for a suitable person for appointment as Vice-Chancellor. The committee, constituted under section 12 of Maharashtra Universities Act, seeks résumé of persons who are suitable for holding the highest position in a university. The entire process is carried out under the instructions of the Chancellor.
Entry of politicians in the field of education has also had its impact on the selection process. Earlier, only academicians of repute were considered for appointment as Vice-Chancellors. In the last two decades, it has become more of a political appointment. Although the political influences were evident during this period, the entire process was being carried out through the office of the Chancellor.
This time, the Maharashtra Government has issued a notification on Saturday inviting details of the persons for appointment as Vice-Chancellor.
Issuance of such a notification itself is against the spirit of selection of the Vice- Chancellor. As the appointing authority is the Chancellor, it is he who interviews the individuals recommended by the screening committee. He has full authority to select one of the persons recommended by the screening committee or even reject all the recommended names.
The government appears to have robbed these powers from the Chancellor and has invited applications from individuals for the V-C’s post. The committee has only one representative of the Higher and Technical Education Department. This nominee influencing the selection process has been made public by issuing the notification.
The notification says that names may be ‘suggested’ for nomination as Vice-Chancellor. As majority of engineering and medical colleges are owned by ministers and influential political persons, the selection of a Vice-Chancellor cannot be said to be done keeping academic interest of the university and the society.
The sources have informed that the Chancellor Mohammad Fazal has called a meeting of the screening committee on December 1. The committee has invited ‘suggestions’ before November 29. The committee is likely to recommend three names to the Chancellor from among whom one will be selected as Vice-Chancellor of Nagpur University.
The selection gains more importance after the exposé of bogus marksheet and degree scandal. The enquiry in the scandal has not yet been completed. It is suspected that several bigwigs are involved in the scandal directly or indirectly.
