THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The governor has received a complaint that Priya Varghese, who reached the first rank for the post of Associate Professor in Kannur University, has only twenty days of teaching experience. It must be noted that eight years of teaching experience is required for the post of Associate Professor in Kannur University. The Supreme Court has upheld the 2014 High Court order that for posts requiring certain work experience along with educational qualification, only the work experience after passing the qualifying examination should be considered.

Priya Varghese obtained her doctorate from Kannur University in 2019. Then she was appointed on deputation as Director of Student Services in Kannur University for two years. She rejoined Thrissur Kerala Varma College on June 16, 2021. From July 7, 2021, she has been continuing on deputation as an Assistant Director at the State Language Institute. The posts of Director of Student Services and Assistant Director of Language Institute are non-teaching posts.

According to the UGC rules, the candidate applying for the post of Associate Professor should have a research degree and eight years of teaching experience. Priya Varghese has only twenty days of teaching experience after getting PhD in 2019. Priya Varghese got the first rank for the post of Associate Professor through an online interview on 18th November.

In the affidavit filed by Priya Varghese along with her application, she mentioned that she worked as a teacher at Kerala Varma College for nine years. However, the Save University Campaign Committee alleged that Priya did not mention about the three years spent on research and two years on deputation at Kannur University.