University of Kerala teaching staff recruitment: High Court busts foul play; new committee to be formed soon as per UGC rules

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Monthly salary of 75000. The tenure can be extended up to 4 years. Work experience will be considered as a priority for permanent appointment in the future. The High Court has busted the scam of appointing favourites as guest teaching staff for four-year undergraduate courses at the University of Kerala with these benefits.

The High Court found irregularities in the rank list prepared by the interview board, chaired by DYFI leader JS Shiju Khan and cancelled it. Vice Chancellor Dr. Mohanan Kunnummal told 'Kerala Kaumudi' that a committee as per UGC rules will be formed soon for the appointment of teaching staff.

The UGC rules state that the Vice Chancellor or a professor designated by him should be the chairman of the interview committee. The VC had suggested Prof. P.M. Radhamani, a member of the syndicate. This was rejected and Shiju Khan was appointed as the chairman. In the past, the Pro Vice Chancellor was the chairman. Currently, the PVC post is vacant. Shiju Khan, who was nominated to the syndicate by the government as an educationist, is not a professor.

The rank list for 13 vacancies was prepared from 500 applicants, but the VC did not accept it. The rank list was approved by the syndicate with the support of 14 members of the ruling party. Two BJP members opposed it. The VC refused to implement the syndicate's decision and sent the list to the Governor for consideration. Meanwhile, the BJP's syndicate member P.S. Gopakumar approached the High Court.

16 courses, 30 vacancies

• There are 16 courses for the four-year degree. Appointments can be made in about 30 vacancies. When more courses are started, there will be more than 50 vacancies.
• Since they have full responsibility for preparing question papers, conducting examinations, evaluating and giving internal marks, they should have the same qualifications as permanent teaching staff.
• Teaching staff and research students of the PG courses in Karyavattom are the ones who take classes in the four-year degree courses of the university.

''The appointment of teaching staff will be made as per the order of the High Court. The same qualifications and salary as permanent staff will be followed.''

-Dr. Mohanan Kunnummal,

Vice-Chancellor