SFI protests across Tamil Nadu universities against UGC draft regulations on faculty recruitment

NEW DELHI: The Students' Federation of India (SFI) held protests across Tamil Nadu universities against the new University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations which grants power to Chancellors to form panels to appoint vice-chancellors.

The protesters argued that “this move undermines the autonomy of state-run educational institutions, which is protected under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020”. Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin opposed the UGC draft regulations and termed it as “a direct assault on federalism and state rights”.

He strongly criticised the new rule which granted Governors broader control over VC appointments and allowed non-academics, heads of industry, PSUs to hold these posts. The Tamil Nadu Assembly also demanded the Centre to immediately rollback the draft UGC guidelines on faculty recruitment.

As per the guidelines, the search-cum-selection committee will shortlist the candidates and interact with them to prepare a panel of 3-5 names for submission to the Visitor. The Chancellor of the university will appoint the vice-chancellor out of the panel of names recommended.

The Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched the UGC regulations for minimum qualification qualifications for appointment and promotion of teachers and academic staff in higher educational institutions.

Also read ‘Want only academics’: BJP-linked teachers’ body against new UGC regulations on VC appointment

On January 9, Shamsher Ahmed, SFI state president, participated in the protest at Periyar University, while Aravind Swamy, state secretary of SFI, took part in the protest at Raja Serfoji Government College. Several other universities across Tamil Nadu were also part of the protests, led by the SFI highlighting their strong opposition to the new guidelines, the students group said.

Amid opposition from academics, political leaders, and students, the UGC chairman clarified regarding UGC NET qualification for appointment of assistant professor. After reports claimed that the UGC NET was not required for assistant professor recruitment, the UGC chief said that the it is mandatory for those having non-professional courses.