Madurai: Higher education administration in Tamil Nadu is facing disruption as vice-chancellor (VC) posts remain vacant in 15 universities, raising concerns over stalled decision-making and academic functioning.
The universities currently without VCs include the University of Madras (Chennai), Annamalai University (Chidambaram), Madurai Kamaraj University, Bharathiar University (Coimbatore), Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tamil University (Thanjavur), Bharathidasan University (Tiruchirappalli), Periyar University (Salem), Thiruvalluvar University (Vellore), Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (Chennai), Dr Ambedkar Law University, Tamil Nadu Open University, Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University, and Tamil Nadu Teachers Education University, among others.
The situation could worsen next month, as the VC tenures of Alagappa University (Karaikudi) and Manonmaniam Sundaranar University (Tirunelveli) are set to end, potentially taking the number of vacancies to 17.
Apart from VCs, several universities—including Madurai Kamaraj University—are also reported to have long-standing vacancies in key senior posts such as registrar, controller of examinations, principal and director for over a year. IAS officers have been assigned as conveners to run university administration, with much of the oversight reportedly handled from Chennai.
Academics have flagged that professors holding additional charge in senior roles has led to seniority-related disputes and an unhealthy academic environment, with allegations that research wing activities are also getting stalled. Professors said clarity is lacking on the state government’s stance on VC appointments, and noted that a case related to the chancellor issue is listed for hearing in the Supreme Court on July 29, which they expect may indicate the government’s position.
