Latest news with #KeralaUniversityofDigitalSciences
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Cabinet approves Ordinance to amend DUK V-C appointment provisions
The State Cabinet on Wednesday approved a draft Ordinance to amend provisions of the Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology Act, 2021, specifically relating to the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor (V-C). The amendments target Sections 11(3), (4) and (6) of Act to align with the UGC Regulations of 2018 and recent court rulings. The Ordinance will be sent to the Governor for promulgation. Sources said that the move indicated the government's preparation to work towards the appointment of a regular Vice-Chancellor against the backdrop of a recent directive by the Supreme Court. The Chief Minister is the Pro Chancellor of the university. While the government has kept the finer details of the proposed amendments under wraps, the move will likely alter the composition of the search-cum-selection committee appointed by the Chancellor for V-C appointment. As per the Section 11(3) of the existing law, the committee will be convened by the Chief Secretary, and also comprise an expert from the Electronics and IT industry, an academic expert chosen by the Board of Governors, and one nominee each of the State government and the University Grants Committee. Section 11(4) deals with the process of preparing the panel, while Section 11(6) stipulates an age limit of 61 years for appointments. Notably, the UGC Regulations, which laid down guidelines for V-C appointments, make it necessary for search-cum-selection committee to comprise 'persons of eminence in the sphere of higher education'. Various quarters claim that the requirement could prompt the government to replace the Chief Secretary with another nominee on the panel to avoid further legal wrangles in future.
India Today
01-08-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Kerala Governor reappoints temporary Vice Chancellors after Supreme Court approval
In yet another flashpoint between the Kerala Governor and the state government, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has appointed two temporary Vice Chancellors (VCs) while the state's recommendations for permanent VCs remain pending before Ciza Thomas has been appointed as the Vice Chancellor of the Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology, and Dr K Shivaprasad will serve as the VC of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological to the Raj Bhavan, the appointments were made in compliance with a recent Supreme Court directive. The top court had permitted the appointment of temporary VCs following an appeal by the Chancellor against the Kerala High Court verdict, which had previously quashed such appointments in the two universities. The Supreme Court clarified that temporary appointments can continue until permanent VCs are in place, but their tenure must not exceed six months. The court also urged the state of Kerala to formulate a mechanism for appointing permanent VCs and called for full cooperation from the Chancellor in the court further acknowledged that appointing permanent VCs would take time. During the interim period, it stated that the Chancellor could either appoint someone new or permit the existing temporary VCs to continue, in line with the respective Acts governing the two universities.- EndsTune InMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Kerala
Time of India
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Kairali Chip lacks patent, proof or use case: SUCC
T'puram: Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology (DUK) is back in the news for the wrong reasons. This time, many are questioning the scientific basis and credibility of its claim that it developed a semiconductor chip (Kairali Chip or K-Chip) billed as the first-of-its-kind in the country. Governor R V Arlekar has already asked the state police to probe the alleged financial irregularities at DUK. He acted on a report from former vice-chancellor (in-charge) Ciza Thomas and also recommended a CAG audit at the university. However, CM Pinarayi Vijayan, who serves as DUK's pro-chancellor, dismissed the allegations raised by opposition leader VD Satheesan about the university's functioning. Save University Campaign Committee (SUCC) questioned the truth behind the chip development claim. After DUK announced the chip project, IT department gave Rs 25 lakh to Prof Alex P James who claimed he led the research and development. "It is important to note that the so-called 'K-Chip' is not an industrially-viable product. It was only a design entry submitted on a global online platform (supported by Google) meant for education and research training. Thousands of students and researchers across the world use this platform to submit similar designs for skill-building," said SUCC in a memorandum to Arlekar. The claim that Kerala developed a full-fledged chip through this process is misleading. Presenting an academic-level design as a fully developed indigenous semiconductor chip is at best a serious exaggeration and at worst a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and policy-makers, it added. Despite the hype around the so-called 'K-Chip', DUK lacks even the basic infrastructure needed for full semiconductor design, testing or production. No official validation reports, peer-reviewed papers, deployment records or actual real-world uses exist in connection with this chip. Its design has not been patented or shared in any credible scientific forum and there is no proof of any commercial value. Without clear technical backing, calling this India's 'first indigenous chip' was both premature and misleading, SUCC said in the memorandum. "Kerala govt and DUK's reluctance to provide an official explanation or documentation regarding K-Chip even when the Centre is actively investing in chip-making, raises concerns," it added. The memorandum also questioned the academic background of James and claimed that project funds worth crores given to DUK were going to private firms registered in his name allegedly with support from key people in the CMO.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
HC rejects appeals on temporary VC postings in 2 univs
Kochi: In a setback to the governor and chancellor of universities in the state, Kerala high court on Monday dismissed petitions challenging a single bench decision holding the appointments of temporary vice-chancellors in the Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology and the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU), made without the recommendation of the state govt, as unsustainable. A division bench of Justices Anil K Narendran and P V Balakrishnan rejected the appeals filed by the chancellor and temporary vice-chancellors of the digital university and KTU, Ciza Thomas and K Sivaprasad. Taking note of the prolonged administrative stalemate in both universities and its adverse impact on their functioning and students, the court urged the chancellor and the state govt to act proactively and ensure regular appointments to the posts without further delay. The appeals primarily challenged the single bench's finding that appointments made without the govt's recommendation are bad in law, as both the university acts mandate such recommendation and limit the tenure of temporary vice-chancellors to six months. They also questioned the legality of these provisions under both the Acts, contending that they are inconsistent with the UGC Regulations and alleging repugnancy under Article 254 of the Constitution, which provides that in case of conflict between state and central legislation, the central law prevails. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like La app de IA que está cambiando vidas — ¿por qué de repente está en todas partes? Finanzas y economía Prueba ahora Undo The bench, however, rejected this contention, holding that the UGC Regulations, 2010 and 2018, are silent on the appointment of temporary vice-chancellors. It clarified that Section 13(7) of the KTU Act and Section 11(10) of the Digital University Act, which permit temporary appointments for a period not exceeding six months, are not governed by the UGC Regulations. Therefore, the question of repugnancy under Article 254 does not arise. Under Section 13(7) of the KTU Act, the chancellor may appoint the vice-chancellor of any other university, the pro-vice-chancellor of KTU, or the secretary to govt, higher education department, as recommended by the govt, to serve as the vice-chancellor for a period not exceeding six months. Similarly, under Section 11(10) of the Digital University Act, the chancellor may appoint the vice-chancellor of any other university or the secretary of the electronics and information technology department, as recommended by the govt, to serve as the vice-chancellor for a period not exceeding six months. The court further held that, under both the Acts, the chancellor has no power to issue a notification to appoint temporary vice-chancellors in the digital university or KTU without the recommendation of the govt, until further orders, pending regular appointments. Finding no grounds to interfere with the single bench decision, the division bench dismissed the appeals. In light of the judgment, Thomas and Sivaprasad cannot continue as temporary vice-chancellors of their respective universities. They were appointed to the posts through notifications on Nov 27, 2024, and their tenure had ended on May 27.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Oppn leader alleges graft, fraud in Digital University
T'puram: Opposition leader V D Satheesan wrote to the chief minister requesting immediate appointment of a special vigilance team to investigate illegal activities, financial fraud and corruption at Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology (Digital University Kerala). "Private company, India Graphene Engineering and Innovation Centre, which was involved in the graphene project that chief minister proudly announced, began its operations only after the official order regarding the project was issued. Despite this, advance payments were made to this fraudulent institution before completing official procedures," he alleged. Besides the Rs 94.85 crore provided by Centre's ministry of electronics and information technology, state govt also has investments in the project, he added. It is a disgrace to the state to have corruption in such a large project, he said. "You might be aware of reports regarding illegal activities, financial fraud and corruption occurring at the Digital University. Unlike other universities, chief minister himself is the pro-chancellor of this university, which operates under the IT department," he said in the letter. "The corrupt are exploiting the condition that funds necessary for the university's operations should be raised through various projects. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Đây có thể là thời điểm tốt nhất để giao dịch vàng trong 5 năm qua IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo The lack of an audit since the university's inception leaves no doubt about the possibility of corruption," he alleged. "Many projects intended for the university are being implemented in the name of paper companies created by faculty members, misusing the university's resources. Reports that some faculty members have formed more than five companies to secure projects are extremely serious. These faculty members use university-paid employees for the operation of such companies," Satheesan pointed out in the letter. The building constructed at great expense for the Digital Science Park, leased by the university, has been given to private company employees for accommodation, revealing the financial interests of certain individuals, he stated.
