University of Madras' new registrar's appointment creates controversy

Chennai: The appointment of University of Madras's new registrar (in-charge) has created a fresh controversy as some professors alleged that the appointment was made without the approval of the syndicate.

Following Professor P.David Jawahar's term as registrar of Madras University coming to an end on Monday, the higher education department appointed Professor S.Karunanidhi of psychology department as the registrar (in-charge).

“The university syndicate alone can make an appointment or relieve an official from the duty. In violation of the university statutes, the higher education department has appointed the new registrar (in charge),” professors said.

They also pointed out that the decision to appoint the controller of examinations (in-charge) was taken in the syndicate meeting. “The authorities know well in advance that the registrar's term will end in the first week of March. So, syndicate meeting should have been convened before appointing the new registrar,” they added.

But when enquired with the university authorities they said a senior professor in the university has been made the registrar. The university is also functioning without a vice-chancellor for more than one year.

“Without a full-time vice-chancellor already there are hundreds of files waiting to be cleared. The Governor-Chancellor needs to appoint the vice-chancellor immediately to clear the backlog of files,” professors urged.

The three-member convener committee which includes higher education secretary A.Karthik, Ajith Prasad Jain, senior principal, Bhavan's Rajaji Vidyashram and J.Manjula, director of collegiate education, is handling the routine affairs.