A lesson in apathy: 6 Karnataka varsities have no full-time Vice Chancellors

Kalaburagi: Six state-run universities in Karnataka have had no regular or full-time vice-chancellors (VCs) for the past few months, a startling example of government indifference that has crippled these varsities in more ways than one.

Academic and administrative activities have taken a hit due to the delay in appointments, which some attributed to hectic lobbying for the posts. The void at the top adds to the growing list of problems at these institutions, which include funds shortage and staff crunch, and paints a poor picture of the education scene in the state.

Acting VCs have been running the academic activities in Karnataka University, Dharwad, Dr B R Ambedkar School of Economics University, Bengaluru, Karnataka State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj University, Gadag, Gulbarga University, Karnataka State Akkamahadevi Women’s University, Vijayapura, and Raichur University.

But, according to experts, acting VCs avoid taking decisions on issues such as appointments, exerting pressure on the government for release of grants and other academic activities, though they have full powers of regular VCs.

“A senior academic dean is appointed as the acting vice-chancellor after the retirement of the incumbent. But the acting VCs dilly-dally in taking action or making decisions on many issues fearing their subordinates would not follow their directions,” said Dr Harish Ramaswamy, retired vice-chancellor of Raichur University.

This endless dithering by the acting VCs impacts the students. Academics feel that the government can appoint regular vice-chancellors on the day incumbents demit office.

“There is a difference in delivering our work as regular and acting vice-chancellor,” Gulbarga University acting vice-chancellor Prof Gooru Sreeramulu said. “We psychologically have some limitations while serving as acting VC. Our subordinates will not accept our directions as there is a feeling among them that I am staying temporarily. We also hesitate to take major decisions though we have powers.”

Higher Education Minister Dr M C Sudhakar said the process of appointing full-time VCs is underway. He also criticised the previous BJP government for being “busy” in opening new varsities.

“The posts of VCs have been vacant in the six universities for the last few months and the tenure of Bengaluru City University VC will end soon,” Dr Sudhakar said. “We have called for applications for the vacant posts of VCs. The government will constitute a search committee to finalise the candidates and recommend it to the governor. The previous BJP government was only busy in announcing new universities without focusing on filling the vacant posts and providing funds.”

Experts said that since the VC is a political appointment, a decision on recruitment will be taken only after considering caste/community apart from merit of the candidate.