Latest news with #PeriyarUniversity
Time of India
6 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Periyar University receives Rs 1.32 crore from CM's research grant scheme
Periyar University SALEM: Periyar University has secured a total funding of Rs 1.32 crore from the Chief Minister's Research Grant Scheme. "Five research proposals submitted by faculty members and a research scholar have been selected for the funding, each addressing critical areas in science, technology and environmental sustainability," said vice-chancellor R Subramani in a statement. A Vidyasagar, a professor in the geology department, has obtained Rs 31.92 lakh for a climate-focused study that evaluates the health effects of water pollutants released from south Indian landmasses into the ocean. P M Ayyasamy, a professor in the department of microbiology, has received Rs 31.82 lakh for creating a bio-extraction process to recover vital minerals. D Palanivel, an assistant professor in the department of physics, has been granted Rs 28.56 lakh for his research on the use of 2D nanomaterials in photocatalytic processes. T Elangovan, an assistant professor in the department of energy science and technology, has been awarded Rs 25.94 lakh for his project aimed at improving the long-term efficiency and operational performance of solid-state colour-sensitive solar cells. M Stanley Dinakar, a research scholar in the physics department, has received Rs 14.11 lakh for creating a next-generation water purification system.
The Hindu
10-07-2025
- The Hindu
Ph.D. scholars of Periyar University accuse Tamil department professor of caste discrimination
More than 10 Ph.D. scholars at Periyar University have lodged complaints against a professor in the Tamil Department, claiming he subjected them to caste-based discrimination and verbal abuse, and made them work at his house and on his land. The professor has denied the allegations. Prof. T. Periasamy, who served as head of the Tamil department for the past 12 years, was moved from the post last month. He is also facing an inquiry by a committee formed by the State government in 2023 on charges of submitting a fake experience certificate to obtain employment. The scholars' complaints against Prof. Periasamy were submitted to the Vice-Chancellor Committee, the administrative body that oversees the university's operations. What are the allegations? The scholars alleged Prof. Periasamy discriminated against them by not allowing them to complete their Ph.D. for several years. One of the complainants, a Ph.D. scholar, belonging to the Scheduled Caste, told The Hindu that at Periyar University, the head of the department (HOD) serves as an ex-officio member of the doctoral committee. 'So even if we have different guides, the HOD decides our fate,' he said. He accused Prof. Periasamy of giving him 'a lot of trouble' and failing to recommend him for the prestigious University Research Fellowship (URF), while recommending other scholars, who he claimed belonged to the professor's caste. 'If we take a paper to him to sign, he would refuse and verbally abuse us,' he claimed. 'Made us do personal chores' Another scholar from the Most Backward Community (MBC) claimed Prof. Periasamy 'made us go to the grocery shop and the bank, and forced us to pick up and drop off his children at their educational institutions. He also made us pour water over his house during its construction.' He further claimed: 'From 2013 to 2022, due to discrimination and verbal abuse, 19 Ph.D. scholars discontinued their research. If a guide does not have a good relationship with Prof. Periasamy, he will not send their students' theses for evaluation, thereby making us run from pillar to post.' The scholar said Prof. Periasamy was removed from the HOD post 'after many of us started to lodge complaints.' 'Different rules for scholars of his caste' Another scholar, in her complaint, alleged Prof. Periasamy applied different rules for scholars of other castes and those from his own, and that he gave scholars from his caste opportunities to work at Periyar University as guest lecturers. 'Earlier, when we lodged a complaint with the former Vice-Chancellor and Registrar, the complaint was redirected to him. He then threatened us with dire consequences. Two weeks ago, we lodged a complaint with the administrative committee, but it has yet to take any action,' she alleged. She urged the State government to look into the matter and take action against Prof. Periasamy. Sources said besides the Ph.D. scholars, over six teaching and non-teaching staff of the university have lodged complaints against Prof. Periasamy for verbal abuse. Prof. denies allegations Denying all the allegations, Prof. Periasamy told The Hindu the Tamil department is the top department in the university, with the highest number of students clearing the National Eligibility Test (NET). 'I have never shown any caste discrimination and have strictly followed the rules. These are fabricated complaints,' he added.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Periyar University violates govt circular, begins academic year
Periyar University SALEM: Salem Periyar University began the academic year 2025-26 on June 30, instead of on July 1 as directed by the Tamil Nadu higher education secretary, triggering a controversy over the purpose of the preponement. Some officials alleged that the move was meant to give a one-year extension to V R Palanivel, a professor in the MBA department. The then higher education secretary, C Samayamoorthy, issued a circular on May 22, 2025, instructing all universities and colleges to start the academic year on July 1. Additionally, the statutes of Periyar University explicitly state that the academic year should commence on July 1, as the university's summer vacation runs from May 1 to June 30. During a syndicate meeting held on Nov 22, 2024, former vice-chancellor D Jagannathan approved the extension of Palanivel's tenure by another year, sources in the university said. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai "Palanivel was born on June 15, 1965, and his retirement was scheduled for June 30, 2025," the sources noted. They further explained that if Palanivel resumed his duties at the beginning of an academic year, he would remain until its conclusion. "This is the reason for the reopening was preponed to June 30," a source asserted. Second-year classes are scheduled to begin only on July 2 while first-year classes will begin on July 9. "With classes starting on different dates, how could the academic year for the university begin on June 30?" a source asked. University sources urged the state govt to resolve this issue as nearly Rs 36 lakh would be allocated as Palanivel's salary for an academic year. The source contended that this situation constituted a clear violation of both the university statutes and the higher education secretary's circular. When contacted by TOI, state higher education minister Govi Chezhiyaan said he would investigate the matter. "I will consult with the university administration and will address it if there are any violations," he said. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
New Indian Express
10-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Re-employment granted to HOD at Periyar University violating norms, allege professors
COIMBATORE: Breaking away from its Act and Statutes, the academic year for 2025-26 at Periyar University starts on June 30, instead of July 1. Professors from the university have alleged that this decision favours the head of the Department of Management Studies, for illegal re-employment for 2025-26. A syndicate meeting, chaired by former Vice-Chancellor (V-C) R Jagannathan, was held on March 3, 2025. According to the syndicate minutes, accessed by TNIE, the retirement age for university teachers is 60. According to the minutes of the meeting, V R Palanivelu, head of the Department of Management Studies will turn 60 on June 14, 2025, and therefore, will superannuate on June 30, 2025. The academic year runs from June 1 to March 31. Since his retirement falls within this academic year, he is eligible for re-employment until March 31, 2026. After the syndicate meeting, the university issued a vacation declaration on April 27, from May 2 to June 30. But the university's Act and Statutes in 'Holidays and Vacations' paragraph states that full-time teachers of the university shall be entitled to a summer vacation of two months, from May 1 to June 30 (both days inclusive). Besides, it noted that the higher education department secretary, on May 22, informed registrars that the reopening date would be July 1.
The Hindu
09-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
AUT opposes re-employment of preferred teachers in Periyar University
The Association of University Teachers (AUT) Tamil Nadu demanded not to give re-employment to preferred teachers in Periyar University and immediately stop the approval given to an agenda by the past administration of the university. In the 116th meeting of the Syndicate on November 22, 2024, Periyar University granted re-employment for nine months till March 31, 2026, to V.R. Palanivelu, Professor of the Department of Management, who is superannuating on June 14, 2025. The faculty members alleged that this re-employment would incur an additional financial loss to the tune of ₹26.67 lakh to the university in the academic year 2025-26. Re-employment should be given only to the teachers, who are retiring in the middle of an academic year. But the past university administration allegedly gave re-employment to preferred teachers and denied re-employment for a few. AUT general secretary, K. Raja, said that granting re-employment to a few preferred teachers was a violation of the rules. The Registrar in-charge, vide his circular dated April 23, 2025, declared that the university was on vacation from May 3 to June 29 and reopens on June 30, 2025. As per Chapter VIII, Section 12(2) of the University Statutes, full-time teachers of the university shall be entitled to a summer vacation of two months from May 1 to June 30 (both days inclusive) and all gazetted holidays. The university, in its 102nd syndicate meeting held on January 11, 2019, adopted in writing that the academic year of Periyar University is to be from July 1 to April 30, with May and June being the vacation in consonance with the general rule followed by the State universities, Mr. Raja added. Stating that few teachers were denied re-employment at Periyar University, Mr. Raja said N. Rajendhiran, former HoD of Management Studies, was relieved from service, denying re-employment as he attained superannuation in June 2018. This denial was done based upon an earlier denial of re-employment to S. Murugesh, former HoD of Botany, as he attained superannuation in June 2017. As per the resolution of the Syndicate, re-employment was to be granted only to those teachers retiring on or after July 1 of each academic year. Contrasting this, the university granted re-employment (July 1, 2022, to May 2023) to P. Kumaradhas, HoD, Physics, who attained superannuation in June 2022. Not only Mr. Kumaradhas, but also professors S. Anbazhagan and C. Selvaraj were granted re-employment in July 2023 and at the same time, A. Muthusamy, a Mathematics Department professor, was denied re-employment and was relieved from service on June 30, 2024. Now the university granted re-employment for Mr. Palanivelu, who is retiring on June 14, 2025, Mr. Raja added. Stating that teachers who raised their voices against these illegalities were crushed by the university, Mr. Raja said that as assistant professor K. Premkumar, in his capacity as the then general secretary of the Periyar University Teachers' Association, drew the attention of the ex-officio members of the Syndicate to this gross violation for providing re-employment to Mr. Kumaradhas, he was vindictively suspended and subsequently terminated from service. The AUT demands to immediately revoke and annul the vindictive termination of Mr. Premkumar and reinstate him and immediately stop the Syndicate approval granted to the re-employment of Mr. Palanivelu. The Higher Education department should conduct an on-the-spot inquiry into the illegal re-employment granted to professors Kumaradhas, Anbazhagan, and Selvaraj and the denial of the same to professors Rajendhiran and Muthusamy and initiate steps to recover the financial loss of ₹86.42 lakh by granting re-employment to these three professors. Likewise, punitive action should be taken on the perpetrators of these conscious violations, Mr. Raja added.
