THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The vice-chancellor-less plight of the University of Kerala, which has been stuck in a governor-government war for more than a year, may come to an end. The Senate will meet in January to appoint the Senate's representative to the search committee for the appointment of the VC. Dr Mohanan Kunnummal, VC in-charge , directed the registrar to initiate the process for this.

Members can summon the Senate by giving 10 days notice. The action was taken following the letter sent by the Governor asking to provide a Senate representative. The High Court has stayed the Governor's nomination of 4 students to the 106-member Senate comprising 6 MLAs and 25 ex-officio members. There are three vacancies each for teachers and deans. A meeting of the remaining members will be held to appoint the search committee representative. Earlier, the governor suggested four times, but no action was taken. The two-member search committee constituted by the Governor without a Senate representative was blocked by the High Court.

As per UGC regulation, UGC representative should be mandatory in the search committee for the appointment of VC. Senate, Chancellor and UGC representatives should be on the search committee as per the Varsity Act. Members can choose three to five people. One of them can be appointed by the Governor. If not satisfactory, the panel can be sent back and another panel can be requested. The Supreme Court order in the Kannur VC case is that it is the Chancellor who has to take the decision on the appointment of the VC and that decision is final. The governor has sent letters to all the varsities for senate representatives.

Crisis in 9 Varsities

There are no VCs in Kerala, MG, CUSAT, Malayalam, Agriculture, Fisheries, Law, Technology and Kannur universities. The problem everywhere is the absence of a Senate representative. The bill to increase the number of members of the search committee to take control of the appointments of the VC was submitted by the Governor to the President.

"Proceedings were directed to the Registrar on the direction of the Chancellor."

- Dr. Mohanan Kunnummal

VC-in charge