Governor vs Government: Kerala under pressure to appoint new VCs at 4 universities

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government is under pressure to appoint new vice chancellors (VCs) for four universities this week as tensions with the governor continue over the selection process. The universities in need of new leadership are University of Kerala, Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology, APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, and Kerala University of Health Sciences.

The governor recently rejected the names proposed by the government for the positions at CUSAT and Calicut University and instead appointed senior professors as temporary VCs. As the government and the governor remain at odds over the search committee's role, there is an urgent need for temporary appointments for the four universities.

Dr. Saji Gopinath, the current VC of Digital University and Technological University, is set to step down on October 24. Meanwhile, Dr. Mohanan Kunnummal, VC of Kerala University of Health Sciences, will leave his position on October 26.

In the light of these developments, the government is considering Dr. M.S. Rajasree, a former VC of the Technological University, for the role of VC at the Digital University. Reports suggest that before his retirement, Saji Gopinath may submit a three-member panel for the governor's approval, which could include Rajasree's name.

Rajasree previously lost her position as VC due to a Supreme Court ruling, which disqualified her on a technicality: the panel submitted had only one name instead of the required three. After this setback, she returned to her previous department and retired from her role as Director of Technical Education in March. Notably, the upper age limit for VC appointments may work in her favour.