T.N. universities' V-Cs in a dilemma over Governor's invitation to higher education conference
Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi's call to private, Central and State university Vice-Chancellors to participate in a conference to be held on Friday (April 25, 2025) has triggered a heated discussion among academicians.
The conference will be inaugurated by Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar at Udhagamandalam. But what has surprised academicians is the timing: it is being held just a week after a meeting presided over by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who, following a recent Supreme Court ruling, is now the Chancellor of State-run universities.The top court had declared the Tamil Nadu Governor's prolonged refusal to give assent to 10 Bills as illegal and erroneous in law.
In light of these developments, it remains to be seen whether the V-Cs of State universities will attend the meeting. Of the 22 universities, 12 are functioning without a V-C. The State Higher Education Department had rejected the Governor's (then Chancellor) insistence on including the University Grants Commission (UGC) chairman's nominee in the V-C search panel for universities.
At present, a convener committee is heading the universities without a V-C. The Higher Education Secretary is the convener in many of these universities. It is unclear whether the Secretary or his representative would attend the meeting.
'Governor still Chancellor'
It is also unclear whether the Governor has been stripped of all powers of Chancellor, says former V-C of University of Madras S.P. Thyagarajan. 'The Governor, by virtue of the right vested in him by the Constitution, is still the Chancellor. He has the power to nominate members to the Syndicate,' he says.
It is a tricky situation for the V-Cs; they were appointed by the Governor as the Chancellor, and are obliged to attend the meeting, he adds. 'They will be embarrassed and worried as to how the government will take it. This is an administrative embarrassment. In light of the original constitutional powers of the Governor, they also face a moral embarrassment,' Prof. Thyagarajan says.
The Chancellor's role includes reviewing a university's upkeep and maintaining academic standards. The Chancellor must address with the Chief Minister administrative and financial difficulties and issues such as the elevation of standards, as the State government is funding the varsities. The Governor also has a role in disciplinary-related issues. He has the power to terminate the services of erring persons, on recommendation of the government, Prof. Thyagarajan explains.
'At a crossroads'
E. Balagurusamy, former V-C of Anna University, says as Chancellor of State universities, the Governor has the powers to 'discuss all matters related to higher education in Tamil Nadu and guide them (universities) to implement the measures that are necessary to improve the quality of education and research in the universities.'
The recent SC ruling is 'very unfortunate, which has left the universities in Tamil Nadu at a crossroads,' he says. The ruling has empowered the State government to appoint V-Cs but does not prevent the Governor from acting as the Chancellor. 'The situation has really created a power conflict between the two authorities,' he points out.
Former V-C of University of Madras P. Duraisamy points out that it was disappointing that the Chief Minister did not address two pressing issues faced by State universities — that of funds and recruitment — in his recent interaction with V-Cs. The university has not recruited for the past 15 years. Madras University's syndicate has seven officials from the government, who let slide issues that have resulted in audit objections and denial of funds, he says.
Meanwhile, the Raj Bhavan, on Wednesday (April 23, 2025) afternoon, clarified that the conference was necessitated as universities, until four years ago, functioned in silos to the disadvantage of students. The Chancellor's office prepares for the meeting for several months with the aim of achieving excellence in teaching, learning, innovation, and enterprise, a communique said.
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