'The second coming'; Despite all odds, Prof Ciza Thomas emerges victorious

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Digital University Vice-Chancellor Professor Ciza Thomas is modest even in her happiness over returning to the vice chancellor post for a second time. She was talking with Kerala Kaumudi.

The Governor had earlier appointed Ciza as the Technical University VC while she was assuming charge as the Senior Joint Director in the Department of Technical Education. The Governor moved with this decision by rejecting the government's recommendation to appoint Higher Education Secretary Ishita Roy as the interim VC.

For being subservient to the Governor’s order, the state government leashed out vendetta against Ciza by withholding her pension even after 20 months of her retirement in March 2023. The return of Ciza is also a setback to some officials who attempted to put fake cases against her for allegedly stealing documents.

The appointment as Digital VC by the Governor came amidst her thriving new role as a consultant for large-scale projects in Madras, Bombay and Jammu IITs. Ciza said the charges of document theft were fabricated and even opened up on how the Syndicate formed a sub-committee to monitor her activities as vice chancellor.

“This was reported to the Chancellor. All documents are safely stored on the computer of the university. The custodian of records is the Registrar. Governor advised me to don’t take any retaliatory action.” Ciza over her career worked as a teacher, principal and senior joint director of technical education in engineering colleges for 32 years.

“More research and consultancy projects will be undertaken to generate funds for the digital university. Will explore options for cooperation with IITs. Foreign cooperation including in research will be ensured.” Said Ciza.