Amendment in University Bill again; Move to remove vice-chairman of Higher Education Council

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The University Amendment Bill that aims to replace the three-member search committee with a five-member committee to reduce the governor's power in appointing the vice-chancellor is likely to be amended again.

An amendment has been introduced in the assembly to form a search committee with the deputy chairman of the Higher Education Council as convener. However, the governor had openly questioned the intent of the bill as the UGC had directed that no one associated with universities and colleges should be included in the search committee. Hence, the current move aims to make a new amendment by excluding the council vice-chairman. It can be included as an official amendment when the bill is introduced again in the house. However, it is not clear who will replace him.

Earlier, the provision was that the three-member search committee could submit a single panel or different panels to the governor. The amendment calls for a single panel after looking into the majority of the five-member panel. Besides the convener, the five-member search committee will have representatives from the syndicate, the government, the chancellor and the UGC.