Move to eliminate elections to university syndicates; Govt mulls amending law

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The law will be amended to eliminate elections to university syndicates and allow the government the authority to nominate members. With this, the syndicates will be in the hands of the government.

Although the elected syndicate members in Kerala have a term until 2027, the change will happen following the amendment. The term of nominated members will be four years.

Currently, elections to syndicates are held only in Kerala and Calicut universities. 13 people reach the syndicate through competition. In other posts, members are nominated.

The current method is that those who reach the senate representing various sectors compete for the syndicate and win. Those who are nominated will also become members of the senate and the academic council.

The government assessed that it would be possible to ensure coordination between the government and universities and achieve speed in administrative matters. Government policy can be implemented in universities without any hindrance.

The Governor can nominate four people to the syndicate in CUSAT and one member to the Sanskrit University. The Governor nominates three deans in MG. The Governor also makes nominations to the Senate. The new amendment is also considering including a provision that allows the Governor to nominate at least one member to the syndicate of all universities.

In Kerala, with the removal of six members nominated by the previous government, the UDF now has seven members. There are three government representatives. The LDF has six, and the BJP has two members. Two CPM members lost their membership after losing the local body elections.

In Calicut, all six members nominated by the previous government were removed. Among those elected, the Left has 7, the UDF has 4, and the BJP has 1. There are also four official members. With the removal of six nominated members, the UDF has a majority.

In other syndicates, the Left government nominees will also be removed. With the change of government, the MLAs in the syndicates will also change. I.B. Satheesh and K. Sachindev of the technical syndicate were eliminated after their election defeats.