2 weeks Ago
Vadodara: The chairman of the three-member search committee for appointing a new vice-chancellor (VC) of MS University has noted in a letter to the state education department that the UGC has clarified the eligibility criteria for the VC position. The letter is a response to the state education department's directive sent earlier to the panel. Search panel chairperson Anish Mankad , a retired IAS officer, said that the committee had sought clarification from the UGC on Feb 18 regarding Clause 7.
3 (i) of the UGC Regulations 2018 . "The concerned education officer at the UGC has provided a response to the committee's query," Mankad noted in his letter. According to the UGC's clarification, a candidate for the VC position must be a distinguished academician with either a minimum of ten years of experience as a university professor or ten years of experience in a reputed research and/or academic administrative organization, with demonstrated academic leadership.
"A candidate meeting any of these criteria will be considered for the VC position," the UGC's letter stated. Earlier, the state education department had sent a letter to the chairman of the search committee, asking that the panel must strictly adhere to the provisions of the UGC Regulations 2018 and the Gujarat Public Universities Act 2023 while shortlisting candidates for the VC position. The letter stated that, if needed, the panel should approach the UGC for any opinion or clarification regarding the eligibility or experience of the candidates.
This education department directive follows the controversy surrounding Dr Vijay Kumar Srivastava's appointment as MSU VC. Srivastava, who was embroiled in a legal battle over his selection, resigned in Jan this year. In his response, Mankad assured the education department that the search panel will strictly adhere to the UGC Regulations 2018.
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