IOE tag sought via State govt only, clarifies Anna Univ

CHENNAI: Refuting media reports, Anna University on Saturday asserted that it had not moved the centre directly to get Institute of Excellence (IOE) status, which is pending for several months. .

There were reports even in social media that the institution went ahead to approach the Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD) without the consent of the State government to get IOE tag.

However, Anna University Vice-Chancellor MK Surappa told DT Next on Saturday that the Centre was approached only through the State government’s channel, which was a usual formality.” Since getting IOE tag was delayed, a letter has been sent to the Centre recently only through State government’s consent and there is nothing new in it”, Surappa said.

Stating that it is up to the State government to take up the issue with the Centre in connection to get IOE tag for the institution, Anna University Vice-Chancellor said any communication to the Centre for this from the varsity was with the consent of State authorities. Echoing similar views of Surappa, former Anna University Vice-Chancellor E Balagurusamy said any State-run university cannot take an individual decision concerning all management and even academic activities of the institution.

A senior official from the Higher Education Department said that the State government is keen in getting IOE status for Anna University since the eminence tag is not only prestige for the State but also enables the institute to collaborate with foreign universities for the academic programme and research work in latest Science and Technology.