Credentials of potential vice-chancellors to be in public domain, says Karnataka Deputy CM

Deputy chief minister, Ashwath Narayan who is also the Minister for Higher Education , on Tuesday, assured transparency in the various appointments in the department.

The list of aspirants to be Vice Chancellors in the various universities will be made available to the public, he said. This will do away with the search committee that is alleged to have enlsited potential vice chancellors in a non-transparent manner.

To bring the necessary change to make appointment of vice chancellors transparent Narayan said an amendment will be brought in the act that prescribes the procedure of appointing vice chancellors.

"With this transparent method, VC's will be chosen by virture of merit as the information will be in public domain. Their credentials will be open for scrutiny," he assured.

"Highly esteemed persons in education or retired vice chancellors with a clean background and standard in the soceity, should be in the committee. This is part of the Karnataka State Education Act 2000. Also, calling candidates for interview is not necessary as its a selection based on their biodata and previous records ," said Dr Sreenivas Gowda , secretary, Forum of Former Vice Chancellors of Karnataka (FVCK) that has been advocating for a cleaner selection committee.

The existing search committee which proposed vice chancellors for appointment in various universities was slapped with several complaints for discriminatory practices. Retired VC's too had raised objection earlier this year that those who were ineligible were being appointed instead of one from their ranks.

Narayan said a new panel will be established to decide on the list of potential vice chancellors.

In an push for transparency, the future of 310 members approved for principal posts in various college lies handing. An online process will replace the existing one to select principals, Narayan added.