Chennai: Despite a large presence of independent candidates, senate members decided to go with Professors Forum of Madras University by giving them five out of six seats in the syndicate of the university. The grand old union of Madras University, the Madras University Teachers Association (MUTA) managed win only one seat.
Professors Forum candidates professors S.S. Sundaram (74 votes), K.Jothi Sivagnanam (61), S.Sumathi (51), K.R.Venkatesan (50 votes), S.Manivasakan (47) made it to the top six. Professor E.Murugan, is the sole winner from MUTA.
In a highly anticipated, intensely campaigned election all the six independent candidates lost the election.
Professor S.S. Sundaram, general secretary, Professors Forum of Madras University reiterated his commitment to work for the betterment of university and affiliated colleges.
He further said his top priority is getting promotion for 70 odd university teachers and getting their past services counted for Career Advancement
Scheme.Another elected member Professor Jothi Sivagnanam said, “We fought for the issues concerning the welfare of the university and it has reached well among the senate members. We will continue to work for the welfare of the university.”
Professor E.Murugan also said he would work hard to get pending CAS for the university faculty members. “I will also bring the attention of the syndicate in developing infrastructure facilities for the science departments,” he said.
Amongst the independent candidates, professor S.Karunanidhi polled the maximum of 40 votes securing seventh place.
Vacancies likely to be filled by July
A considerable number of vacancies in the university departments likely to be filled before coming July, Madras University Vice-Chancellor P.Duraisamy said at the senate meeting.
Professor S.Karunanidhi, director (incharge), Institute of Distance Education has brought the attention of senate to the large number of vacancies in the science departments at Taramani campus.
Replying to this Mr.Duraisamy said, “The state government is likely to lift the ban for recruitment. As soon as the ban lifted, the university will initiate steps to fill up these vacancies on priority basis.”
Professor E.Murugan, head, department of physical chemistry said, “The science departments which has shifted from A.C. Tech college to the new building in Guindy campus are struggling without the lab facilities.”
He urged the university to allocate special funds to rebuild the labs in the new building. The Vice-Chancellor assured that the university would consider the issue favourably.
The senate also passed a resolution allowing the university to collect a special fee from autonomous colleges for maintaining the records and awarding the certificates. For UG courses it will collect Rs 600 per year and for PG courses it will collect Rs 1,000 per year. For government colleges only half of the fees would be collected.
