IITs tighten norms for reappointing directors

Search-cum-selection panel to examine issue in detail

Reappointment of a director of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) will not be a simple process anymore as the premier technical institutes have introduced a “rigorous” process to evaluate their overall performance.

While examining the case for re-appointment of an IIT director, the search-cum-selection committee will consider their annual appraisal report, to be prepared by the chairman of the institute’s board of governors.

The report of the external peer review committee on the performance of the institute would also be taken into account to understand the efforts the director took to address “critical issues” of the institute before he is adjudged as “outstanding” by the panel and recommended for a second term in office.

The search-cum-selection committee will be set up almost nine months in advance of the completion of the term of the director, to be considered for re-appointment.

In case the panel found an incumbent director unfit for the post based on his performance, the institute will then invite applications for the post through advertisement.

The incumbent director who had been evaluated but not recommended for a second term can also re-apply for the position by responding to the advertisement. The new process for re-appointment of an IIT director got the approval of their council at its meeting last month, even as some of the directors raised concerns over the proposal wondering if it would “compromise the opportunity to wider contestation”, official sources told Deccan Herald.

“They discussed the issue in length. Some of the directors were of view that it may compromise the opportunity to wider contestation for the post. The majority, however, prevailed over others and the Council approved the proposal,” sources added.

Those in support of the proposal argued that re-appointment of an n IIT director, found to be outstanding in his performance during his 5-year term, would go in the interest of the institute as he would use his “expertise and experience” to further improve the performance of the institutes.

 “This kind of selection process would be a far more rigorous than just a proforma based brief discussion on a case for re-appointment of an IIT director,” an IIT director maintained, requesting anonymity.