Thenhipalam (Malappuram): Calicut University's decision to grant professor post to eligible retired college teachers is in accordance with the UGC rules and government order, observed university syndicate meeting held the other day.
The authorities said that they have not received the letter reportedly sent by the Governor seeking clarification on a complaint that the university move was with the objective of granting professor rank to Higher Education Minister R Bindu. It further clarified that the minister has not applied for professorship.
The promotion to the post of professor is granted to those who secure 110 points in PhD, research, publication of papers and participation in seminars. The eligibility declared by the UGC on July 18, 2018 is applicable to all eligible candidates who were in service during that period. The eligibility cannot be denied to them just because they have retired from service.
Syndicate members Prof M M Narayanan and K K Hanifa said this criteria had been implemented in other universities and the current allegations are politically motivated.
Save University Campaign Committee led by RS Sasikumar had given a complaint to the Governor, alleging that the university had violated the
University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations by granting professorship to the retired teachers. It pointed out that the State Government had issued orders making it mandatory that only those who are in service could be considered for appointment as Professors.
The University of Kerala, citing regulations, had earlier rejected the demand for granting professorship to the retired teachers with retrospective effect. The government and the Calicut University have no right to violate regulations, the committee said.
Minister Bindu took voluntary retirement from service when she was working as a teacher of English at the Sree Kerala Varma College in Thrissur in order to fight the last Assembly elections from the Irinjalakuda constituency.
After being embroiled in a controversy over tagging the word "Professor" along with her name during the swearing-in ceremony as a minister, the State Government later issued a gazette notification removing
"Professor" from Bindu's name.
