Chennai: The Tamil Nadu higher education department is verifying credentials and service records of senior-most professors in 10 state universities to select vice-chancellors-in-charge within the next few days.The universities have submitted details of four to seven senior professors to the govt. Of the 13 state universities under the higher education department, only Mother Teresa Women’s University now has a full-time vice-chancellor. The state govt recently appointed senior-most professors as vice-chancellors-in-charge at Alagappa University and Manonmaniam Sundaranar University.“We are examining the records of senior-most professors with unblemished service records. The final decision will have to be taken by the respective syndicates of the universities,” an official of the higher education department said.Interim VCs will oversee the administration of the universities until full-time vice-chancellors are appointed.Anna University has submitted a list of four professors, each with more than 10 years of administrative experience and a clean service record. The university’s syndicate meeting is scheduled for Oct 10, and the appointments may be decided at the meeting, a source said.The University of Madras has submitted a list of seven senior-most professors. “The list comprises senior professors with long service records and experience in leadership roles. We expect the university’s syndicate meeting to be held next week to consider the appointment,” a source said.Several professors have welcomed the govt’s decision, saying the appointment of interim VCs would help reduce delays in taking academic and administrative decisions.However, some academics, including former University of Madras vice-chancellor P Duraisamy, have urged the govt to clearly define the powers and responsibilities of vice-chancellors-in-charge.“Senior-most and competent professors with administrative experience should be appointed to head the state universities,” he said. Professors have also urged the govt to initiate the process of constituting search committees for the appointment of full-time vice-chancellors.
