(Interview granted to 'Kerala Kaumudi' by Kerala University Vice-Chancellor Dr V.P. Mahadevan Pillai who will complete his tenure on Monday)

Q. You are stepping down after controversies, including clash with Governor?

A. I have no hostility towards anyone, including the Governor. I have not attempted to create any controversy. There were no difficult situations. I had informed the governor about my tenure coming to an end. I don't have any issues with him.

Q. The issue of not providing a representative of the Senate to the search committee?

A. I have not created any controversy. I don't have any complaints. I was able to do many things. I'm stepping down happily. Teachers, students, syndicate and the government have given great support. Tried doing a lot of things. Some have been completed. Some are getting completed.

Q. Kerala University dropped in NIRF ranking despite getting NAAC grading of A++?

A. Kerala University's rank dropped to 40 in the NIRF ranking due to the poor score for responses made by others about the university. While we got a score of 24 last year, this year it was zero. This is given by considering employment institutions and the overall image of the university. I am optimistic that the university will progress.

Q. Won't the non-filling of teaching vacancies affect the ranking?
A. We have made appointments to as many teacher vacancies as possible. 60 teachers were appointed. 100 persons were interviewed. We did not make more appointments as we did not find good candidates.

Q. Making the university a centre of excellence

A. An application has been made to the Center to make it a Category-1 University. If the Centre allows it, more funds will be available. The aim is to make the university a centre of excellence in the future. The Karyavattom campus will be converted into a 24-hour residential campus for 5000 students. At present, there are about 3000 children. 500 teachers will have to be recruited for this. The government has assured that more teaching posts will be allowed soon. 300-room hostels for both men and women will be built in Karyavattom.

Q. Can the university attract more foreign students?

A. The university currently has 147 international students enrolled. The university should adhere to the one teacher to one foreign student ratio. Only if there are more professors available will the number of international students rise. An 87 crore rupee project for international students has been sanctioned. More efforts are being made to draw in international students.