CHENNAI: With 12 out of 13 state universities under higher education department without vice-chancellors, the Tamil Nadu govt has appointed two senior-most professors in Alagappa University and Manonmaniam Sundaranar University as interim vice-chancellors.Professor J Jeyakanthan from the department of bioinformatics at Alagappa University has been appointed officiating vice-chancellor of Alagappa University. Professor S Prabahar from the department of English at Manonmaniam Sundaranar University in Tirunelveli has been appointed vice-chancellor (in charge) of the university.Higher education minister P Viswanathan confirmed appointing interim vice-chancellors to these two state universities.“The extended tenure of these two vice-chancellors ended recently. The acts of these universities say the syndicate will provide requisite arrangement in the absence of vice-chancellors. Till the time the syndicate makes that arrangement, the senior-most professor will discharge the functions and responsibilities of the vice-chancellor. This is just an interim arrangement till that syndicate makes the requisite arrangement,” a senior official from the higher education department said.Due to the tussle between the governor and previous state govt over including UGC nominees in VC search committees, as many as 16 state universities out of 22 have been functioning without vice-chancellors. It has crippled the administration of universities and affected their academic functions.Academicians have been demanding that senior-most professors be appointed as interim vice-chancellors to ensure smooth functioning of universities.“The state govt is also considering to make senior-most professors interim vice-chancellors in other state universities. It will take the issue to the syndicates of state universities and they will take a call,” the official added.Of 13 universities under the state universities, only Mother Teresa Women’s University in Kodaikanal has a full-time vice-chancellor. Petitions challenging the validity of state laws transferring VC appointment authority from the governor to the state govt are also pending in Madras high court.
