Tamil Nadu seeks CM Vijay as Chancellor of state universities, expands VC search panel
Tamil Nadu's new government has proposed a major overhaul of university governance by seeking to make Chief Minister Vijay the Chancellor of State universities. It has also recommended expanding Vice-Chancellor selection panels from three to five members.
Tamil Nadu has proposed significant changes to the governance of state universities, with Higher Education Minister P. Viswanathan announcing that the government wants Chief Minister Vijay to serve as the Chancellor instead of the Governor.
Speaking on Tuesday, the minister said the proposal reflects the government's long-standing position that the elected head of the State should oversee universities. The move also comes alongside a plan to expand the Vice-Chancellor selection committee, signalling a broader rethink of how universities in the State are governed.
WHO SHOULD LEAD UNIVERSITIES?
Viswanathan said the issue was discussed at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Vijay and reiterated that the government believes the Chief Minister should hold the office of Chancellor.
"For many years, the Governor was the Chancellor. Last year, there was a challenge over whether the Governor or the Chief Minister should be the Chancellor. Our demand is that the Chief Minister should be the Chancellor," the minister said.
The statement marks the first time the new Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government has publicly outlined its position on the issue, which has remained politically sensitive in several states over the powers of Governors in higher education.
A BIGGER SEARCH PANEL
Alongside the Chancellor's proposal, the government has also decided to restructure the process of appointing Vice-Chancellors.
Currently, the search committee consists of three members: a nominee of the Governor, a nominee of the State government and a nominee of the university syndicate.
Under the proposed model, the panel will be expanded to five members by adding one nominee of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and an additional nominee of the State government.
According to Viswanathan, the proposal has already been forwarded to Tamil Nadu Governor R V Arlekar for approval.
WHAT THE CHANGE COULD MEAN
If approved, the changes would alter two important aspects of university administration in Tamil Nadu. The Chief Minister would replace the Governor as Chancellor of state universities, while the state government would gain greater representation in the Vice-Chancellor selection process through the expanded search committee.
The proposals come at a time when the role of governors in university administration has become a subject of debate in several states. Any changes, however, will depend on the approval process and the legal framework governing state universities.
Tamil Nadu has proposed significant changes to the governance of state universities, with Higher Education Minister P. Viswanathan announcing that the government wants Chief Minister Vijay to serve as the Chancellor instead of the Governor.
Speaking on Tuesday, the minister said the proposal reflects the government's long-standing position that the elected head of the State should oversee universities. The move also comes alongside a plan to expand the Vice-Chancellor selection committee, signalling a broader rethink of how universities in the State are governed.
WHO SHOULD LEAD UNIVERSITIES?
Viswanathan said the issue was discussed at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Vijay and reiterated that the government believes the Chief Minister should hold the office of Chancellor.
"For many years, the Governor was the Chancellor. Last year, there was a challenge over whether the Governor or the Chief Minister should be the Chancellor. Our demand is that the Chief Minister should be the Chancellor," the minister said.
The statement marks the first time the new Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government has publicly outlined its position on the issue, which has remained politically sensitive in several states over the powers of Governors in higher education.
A BIGGER SEARCH PANEL
Alongside the Chancellor's proposal, the government has also decided to restructure the process of appointing Vice-Chancellors.
Currently, the search committee consists of three members: a nominee of the Governor, a nominee of the State government and a nominee of the university syndicate.
Under the proposed model, the panel will be expanded to five members by adding one nominee of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and an additional nominee of the State government.
According to Viswanathan, the proposal has already been forwarded to Tamil Nadu Governor R V Arlekar for approval.
WHAT THE CHANGE COULD MEAN
If approved, the changes would alter two important aspects of university administration in Tamil Nadu. The Chief Minister would replace the Governor as Chancellor of state universities, while the state government would gain greater representation in the Vice-Chancellor selection process through the expanded search committee.
The proposals come at a time when the role of governors in university administration has become a subject of debate in several states. Any changes, however, will depend on the approval process and the legal framework governing state universities.
