Veterinary VC appointment: Search committee meeting on 15th without Governor's representative

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The search committee to find the vice-chancellor of the veterinary university will meet on the 15th without the governor's representative. The appointment process aims to be completed before the finalisation of the UGC's new draft policy.

The governor is not expected to accept the committee's recommendation. The government established this search committee after the term of suspended Vice-Chancellor Dr M.R. Saseendranath came to an end. The committee consists of five members, as outlined in the provisions of a bill that did not receive the President's assent.

The members of the search committee include Prof. Neelima Gupta (UGC representative), Dr B. Iqbal (Varsity representative), Prof. P. Rajendran (Government representative), Prof. Raman Sukumar (Higher Education Council representative), and Dr Raghavendra Bhatta (ICAR representative). The meeting is scheduled to take place at the Government Guest House in Thiruvananthapuram, with 12 applicants vying for the position.

While the Veterinary University Act mandates the inclusion of the governor's representative in the committee, the government's search committee has not adhered to this provision. The university has made travel arrangements, including air tickets, for two committee members travelling from outside the state. Traditionally, the Governor has been responsible for forming such committees and appointing one individual from the suggested panel as the Vice-Chancellor.