THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the UGC issuing draft regulations granting full authority to the Chancellor (Governor) in the appointment of Vice-Chancellors (VCs), the ongoing conflict between the Governor and the Kerala government regarding VC appointments might come to an end.

The Governor will have supreme authority to form the search committee to identify eligible candidates for the VC position and to make the appointment. No individual associated with universities or colleges is permitted to be part of the search committee. Once the draft regulation becomes final, any university laws and regulations contradicting UGC norms will become invalid.

For the appointment of a VC, advertisements must be published in national newspapers, and a public notification must also be issued. The Chancellor is mandated to form the search committee, which must consist of three members. One of these members must be an academic expert, such as a Vice-Chancellor, former director, or professor. The selected individual must have no connection whatsoever with any university or college.

The chairperson of the search committee must be the representative of the Chancellor. Other members should include a representative of the UGC Chairperson and a representative from the university syndicate or senate. The search committee is responsible for creating a shortlist of applicants. Following interviews, the committee must submit a list of three to five names to the Governor. From this list, the Chancellor will appoint the Vice-Chancellor (VC). The tenure of a VC is five years or until they reach the age of 60, with eligibility for reappointment once.

If UGC regulations are not followed, universities will face severe consequences, including exclusion from UGC schemes, non-recognition of undergraduate courses, disqualification from offering online and distance education courses, and withdrawal of financial assistance from the UGC.

The qualifications for the VC position have been broadened, enabling more candidates, including professors with at least ten years of experience, senior faculty members with experience in research, academics, and administration, as well as academic experts from industries, public administration, public policy, or public sector organizations, to become eligible for the role.

This amendment to the 2018 regulation is aimed at resolving disputes surrounding VC appointments, including those in Kerala. With this, the amendment for increasing the number of search committee members will no longer be valid.