‘Annamalai varsity flouting senioritybased rotation in appointing Deans, HoDs’
The university teachers’ federation has urged the State government to ensure that appointments of Deans and HoDs are made on seniority basis in accordance with the university’s rules
The Annamalai University Teachers’ Federation (AUTF) on Wednesday alleged that the senioritybased rotation system was flouted by the university’s administration while appointing Deans of Faculties and Heads of Departments over the past twoandahalf years.
According to C. Subramanian, convenor of AUTF, the university’s move is contrary to the guidelines set by regulatory bodies like the University Grants Commission (UGC) and accrediting bodies like the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), which have insisted on the importance of employing seniority as the sole guide
The Annamalai University Act, 2013, mandates that appointments be made on rotation system, depending on seniority.
line in such appointments.
AUTF said that the rotation system by seniority principle must be adopted since it was the most transparent system, eliminated subjectivity and bias, created checks and balances, and encouraged participatory management.
In addition, the Annamalai University Act, 2013,
also mandates that appointments be made on rotation system, depending on seniority.
However, the university administration has violated this rule often, and juniors have been appointed as Deans of Faculties and Heads, they alleged.
The issue has also been brought to the notice of Tamil Nadu Minister for Higher Education K. Ponmudy and the Secretary to Higher Education, who have directed the university to follow the rotation system policy.
AUTF said that a professor, who was sixth in the seniority list, has been appointed as the Head of the Physics Department, while the seniormost professor has been denied the post.
Another professor in the Department of Agricultural Microbiology, who is the seniormost in the Department, was not given a chance, while a junior has been appointed as the Head of the Department.
The Tamil Nadu government should immediately intervene and cancel these wrongful appointments and appoint seniors as heads of departments, Mr. Subramanian said.