In another decision, the Higher Education Minister, taking cues from agricultural universities, will now be the Pro Chancellor of all state public universities.
Till date, the entire selection was free from government interference. The VC/ProVC search panel was chaired by the Governor’s nominee, one member was recommended by the Management Council and the third was recommended by the Academic Council. This committee invited applications, shortlisted candidates, interviewed them and suggested five names to the Chancellor, who then selected one. It was always mentioned that the names were not in the order of preference and should all be treated as equals. Under the new order, this search panel will submit its list to the ministry, which will select two out of those five and finally allow the Raj Bhavan to select a candidate. Higher and Technical Education Minister Uday Samant told TOI that these recommendations were made to the state by an expert panel under former University Grants Commission chairman Sukhdev Thorat. The panel was constituted to suggest changes in the Act for effective implementation of the National Education Policy. “Agricultural universities also have the post of pro-chancellor, which is held by the agriculture minister. It was only universities under the department of higher and technical education that did not have the post,” said Samant. “Furthermore, as far as the selection process of VCs and Pro VCs is concerned, we have followed the procedure which is applicable in central universities wherein the selection panel sends its recommendations to the government which sends it to the President.” Samant told TOI.
He said that there is no question of violation of the powers of the Governor. “The governor is a constitutional post and there is no question of taking away his rights,” Samant said. He also said that the committee has made more recommendations which will be taken up in a phased manner. Relations between the MVA and Governor BS Koshyari have been strained as they parted ways on several issues – such as the governor-nominated seats in the legislative councils.
Educationist and former principal Anil Rao condemned the state’s decision. “This is an unwarranted attack on the pre-conceived autonomy of academics. The Chancellor is the highest authority and above all politics. Higher education should be completely autonomous and miles away from politics. Also, the decision to appoint the Minister of Higher Education as Pro Chancellor will create vested doubtful interest. Economist Abhay Pethe said,
The amendments and ordinances that eroded university autonomy and placed universities under the government were mandated to govern universities from the time of the Pune University Act 1974 to 2009, said a recent research paper, ” Higher education “Policy in Maharashtra: Education-politics nexus weakening university authority”.
“If there was a running thread regarding university governance, it was systematic legalization and de-institutionalisation, with universities no better than other government departments, which had the task of serving the interests of the owners of educational management who had been ministers to the government. It is doubtful whether the government in any other state has so much centralization of the functions and powers of the university,” said A Mathew, National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration.
The cabinet also decided to form an equal opportunity board, Maratha language, literature protection committee was also taken in the cabinet.
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