CHENNAI: The Search Committee formed to do the process of selection for appointing new Vice-Chancellor for University of Madras is taking steps to expedite the process as early as possible, sources in Higher Education Department here said today.
It was learnt that 12 candidates have been shortlisted for interview by the members of Search Panel and these candidates will be interviewed very soon after getting the permission from Tamil Nadu Governor and Chancellor Mr.Banwarilal Purohit, Official sources told ‘Lotus Times’ news website today- 10th July 2020- that the three-member Search Committee had three meetings so far during which all the applications received for Madras University VC post were scrutinized and shortlisted based on professional criteria and laid down conditions.
Members of the Search Committee are: Convener Dr.M.Jagadesh Kumar, Vice-Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, and two members- Dr.P.Maruthamuthu, former Vice-Chancellor of Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) and Prof.P.Ramasamy, former Vice-Chancellor of Alagappa University, Karaikudi.
Sources connected to the State government informed today that the Search Committee members had their preliminary meetings through videoconferencing in view of the current COVID-19 lockdown and restrictions.
Totally 177 applications were received by the Search Committee of which 60 applications were shortlisted after categorizing them based on strictly laid down professional criteria, sources added.
“The selection process has now reached the final stage and interviews for shortlisted 12 candidates should take place anytime soon. Two days back, the Search Committee members had a discussion in this regard. The Search Panel Convener Dr.M.Jagadeesh Kumar has now sought an appointment with Governor-Chancellor Dr.Banwarilal Purohit to brief him about the process done so far by meeting him,” an official source said today.
That there should not be anymore time lag in selection and appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor for University of Madras is the view of Higher Education Department and the Search Committee members, sources added.
Interviews for the shortlisted 12 candidates will be done either personally or via videoconferencing depending on the candidate’s convenience because there are Corona fears everywhere and restrictions are in place.
“The three-member Search Committee will submit names of three candidates after the final interview to the Tamil Nadu Governor by the end of this month (July 2020) after which he will take the decision and selection,” officials said on 10th July 2020.
