CHENNAI: With 12 out of 13 state universities under higher education department without vice-chancellors, the Tamil Nadu govt has appointed two senior-most professors in Alagappa University and Manonmaniam Sundaranar University as interim vice-chancellors.
Of 13 universities under the state universities, only Mother Teresa Women’s University in Kodaikanal has a full-time vice-chancellor.
This is just an interim arrangement till that syndicate makes the requisite arrangement,” a senior official from the higher education department said. Professor J Jeyakanthan from the department of bioinformatics at Alagappa University has been appointed officiating vice-chancellor of Alagappa University. Professor S Prabahar from the department of English at Manonmaniam Sundaranar University in Tirunelveli has been appointed vice-chancellor (in charge) of the university. “The extended tenure of these two vice-chancellors ended recently. The acts of these universities say the syndicate will provide requisite arrangement in the absence of vice-chancellors. Till the time the syndicate makes that arrangement, the senior-most professor will discharge the functions and responsibilities of the vice-chancellor. Petitions challenging the validity of state laws transferring VC appointment authority from the governor to the state govt are also pending in Madras high court .