KU syndicate rejects chancellor's notice on promotion row
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala University syndicate on Monday rejected the show-cause notice issued by chancellor Rajendra Arlekar over the syndicate's decision, allegedly flouting norms, to promote a pro-CPM teachers' union leader to associate professor.
The university syndicate, controlled by CPM nominees, refused to review the earlier decision on the promotion. The syndicate's decision to promote teachers' union functionary S Naseeb, considering the contract appointment period as regular experience, sparked a row. The syndicate decided to count the period during which the candidate worked on a contract basis at Sanskrit University. University vice-chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal, along with Congress and BJP nominees in the syndicate, objected to the decision, stating that it was against UGC rules and could trigger similar requests from several teachers in service. The VC had earlier reported the syndicate decision to governor Arlekar.
The syndicate rejected chancellor's directive to review the promotion decision and held the view that the VC had no authority to keep the decision in abeyance or report the same to the chancellor. The syndicate decided to stick to the promotion decision, recording the dissent by VC and opposition members. The arguments among the syndicate members created chaotic scenes, and VC prevented CPM members from passing a resolution against him.
Syndicate's decision prompted Save University Campaign Committee to oppose it. CPM was allegedly trying to get Naseeb appointed as pro-vice chancellor. Govt recently passed a bill lowering the qualification for pro-vice-chancellor post from professor to associate professor.
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