University Amendment Bill: Criticism that autonomy of universities will be eliminated

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The subject committee of the assembly criticized the University Act Amendment Bill for eliminating the autonomy of universities. Universities will be completely under the control of the government. Abid Hussain Thangal, T.V. Ibrahim, and Rahul Mamkootathil pointed out that this will destroy the objectives of the universities. The assembly will consider the University Act Amendment Bill again on the 25th.

The bill gives excessive powers to the PVC appointed by the Syndicate. The UGC Regulation of 2018 did not specify the qualifications of the PVC. There is no post of PVC in the draft regulation. When the Academic Council does not meet, the Executive Committee can decide academic matters. The VC has been removed and the PVC has been made its chairman. The Syndicate has been given the responsibility of preparing the syllabus and conducting examinations.

If the decisions of the VC, including those on appointments, are not satisfactory, a complaint can be filed with the University Tribunal. The decision of the Tribunal will be final.

Transferring the power of the VC to notify the Senate, Syndicate and Academic Council elections to the Registrar will increase political interference. It has also been criticized that political interference in teacher recruitment, boards of studies, syllabus formation, examination conduct and admission will destroy the quality of education.

The bill has defined the rights of students. The subject committee recommended that the bill should also include the responsibilities of students, considering the prevalence of drug abuse and violence on campuses.

Issue in Supreme Court

There is a provision that the period of those holding the post of chairman of the local institution is considered as official leave. This is a matter regarding the ban on aided teachers from contesting elections under consideration of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court had stayed the amendment made in the service rules in 2021.

Minister can intervene directly

1. The current provision where the Minister who is the Pro-Chancellor can assume powers in the absence of the Chancellor has been changed to allow the Minister to intervene directly in academic and administrative matters.
2. The Minister or those appointed by the Minister can conduct inquiries into university and college infrastructure, courses, examination conduct and financial transactions.
3. The Chancellor's power to form the MG and Kannur Boards of Studies has been transferred to the Syndicate. The VC's power to appoint the Chairman of the Board has also been transferred to the Syndicate.