Bold reforms to end the clutter

A meeting of Vice Chancellors of all Universities was held early this week, called on by Governor P Sathasivam, to discuss the issues pertaining to the varsities and to ensure their smooth functioning.

The meeting held in Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) was the first of its kind. Sathasivam who is also the Chancellor of 13 varsities in the state, decided to act after issues were raised against the appointment of VCs on the basis of political affiliations. A chancellor’s council would be formed to address the problems faced by the Universities consisting of pro chancellor who is the Minister for education, vice chairman, higher education council, all the Vice Chancellors of the Universities and the Secretary apart from the Governor. All the VCs have been asked to ensure that the examinations and the announcement of results were in a time bound manner. The meeting also decided that the quality of education in the self financing sector be maintained at the highest level and that CCTV cameras would be installed during the examinations in all self financing colleges.

The retired SC justice has also made clear that there would not be any more internal strife going on between the Syndicate members and the Vice Chancellors. Each VC made a presentation at the meeting and agreed to publish an academic timetable with a definite schedule for admission, examination and release of results from the year 2015-16. An explanation would be sought in case of failing to abide by the rules. They would have to identify the deficiency gap in the syllabi and personally intervene with each board of studies and the academic council to ensure that the syllabi and pedagogy of the university is on par with the best in the country. Massive Online Open Courses would also be introduced with the aim of providing the best educational content to the students and collaboration with reputed international organizations along with a number of add-on courses would also be started. The VCs would have to submit the report on their respective Universities to the Chancellor every three months.

The Chancellor will monitor the implementation of the new rules and act accordingly, if not strictly followed. According to Sathasivam, politicians could not be kept away from the matters relating to the Universities. Academically weak and inefficient people should not be placed at such levels as they are responsible, to a great extent, for the current predicament of the varsities. Sathasivam stressed the need for the smooth functioning in order to provide proper education to the students who are already struggling amidst various issues plaguing the varsities including strikes and boycotting of classes. A collective effort of all the staff, students along with the Vice Chancellors are needed to tackle the current imbroglio.