Chennai: After the proposal of issuing the degree certificates without the Vice-Chancellor’s signature had triggered a row, the University of Madras on Tuesday, citing administrative reasons, postponed its 159th convocation scheduled on December 1.
The University’s plan to issue the degree certificates without the signature of the vice-chancellor had caused a controversy as some syndicate members and professors opposed the move saying it would affect the students. The issue was highlighted by Deccan Chronicle in its report on November 23 saying degree certificates without V-C’s signature may face questions in foreign countries about their validity.
In his representation to the Governor, S.S. Sundaram, general secretary of the professors forum of Madras University, quoted the Statutes of the Madras University, Volume II, Chapter 36, Item 14 which stated “A Diploma under the seal of the University and signed by the Vice-Chancellor shall be presented at a convocation to each successful candidate at an examination for a Degree, Title or Diploma.”
Acting upon the representation, the principal secretary to the Governor had reportedly enquired with the university officials about the issue. After getting the Governor's approval on Tuesday, the university postponed the convocation.
“The convocation is postponed due to administrative reasons,” P.David Jawahar, Registrar, University of Madras, told Deccan Chronicle. When asked for further details, he refused to comment.
“The fundamental question is who will sign on the degree certificates. As per our statutes, it's clear that any degree or diploma or title has to be signed by the vice-chancellor. So, the issue can only be resolved by the appointment of the new vice-chancellor,” university sources said.
The university is functioning without a vice-chancellor for last ten months. In the last syndicate meeting on November 4, the university administration has sought the approval of syndicate to affix the signature of the higher education secretary in the degree certificates. As some syndicate members opposed the move, it was decided to seek a legal opinion from the advocate general. The legal opinion from AG's office was not conclusive and the university decided to go ahead with the convocation.
Some professors in the university alleged that the university authorities did not place the Madras University Statutes Volume II to advocate general. They also said the dissent note by syndicate members was not mentioned in the minutes of the syndicate meeting.
A syndicate member said the university's decision to hold a convocation was not approved by the syndicate as mentioned by the advocate general.
