CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Irregularities in IGNOU Vice-Chancellor Selection: Is India’s Education System at Risk?
Serious questions are being raised regarding the selection process for the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), India’s largest and most prestigious open university, located in the national capital. The Ministry of Education and the University Grants Commission (UGC), which advocate for transparency and integrity in higher education, appear to be overlooking blatant violations in the selection process.
It has come to light that one of the candidates for the Vice-Chancellor position was directly involved in the committee that shortlisted names for selection. This raises concerns about fairness, as a candidate participating in the selection process could influence the outcome in their favor. Meanwhile, officials in the Education Ministry and UGC remain silent, seemingly waiting until a favorable candidate is appointed before any complaints arise.
Who’s Who in This Controversy?
To understand this entire episode, it is essential to know the key players involved.
Candidates in the Race for IGNOU Vice-Chancellor:
Prof. Uma Kanjilal – Currently acting Vice-Chancellor of IGNOU.
Manoj Dixit – Director at Bikaner University; previously Vice-Chancellor of Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University, Ayodhya, with serious allegations of corruption in appointments.
K.P. Singh – Bareilly University, has faced multiple corruption allegations, including during his tenure at VBS Purvanchal University.
Triveni Dutt – Bareilly Agricultural University.
- Suresh Kumar – IIFL, Hyderabad.
The selection of such candidates, some of whom have a history of corruption allegations, raises serious concerns about the integrity of the process.
Members of the Search & Selection Committee:
- Satheesh Reddy – Former Chairman, DRDO. (Has never been a university professor, yet appointed as chairman of the selection committee, which should be led by a professor as per regulations.)
Prof. Bharat Bhaskar – Director, IIM Ahmedabad.
K.N. Singh – Vice-Chancellor, Central University of South Bihar, who has been accused of favoring caste-based appointments.
How Academic Fraud Was Carried Out
The selection committee held a meeting to finalize candidates for the VC post. Two applicants – Acting VC Prof. Uma Kanjilal and Prof. Chandan Bhaskar – attended the meeting.
Following ethical norms, Prof. Chandan Bhaskar left the meeting when discussions about candidate selection began. However, Prof. Uma Kanjilal remained present, potentially influencing the committee’s decisions.
This raises serious ethical and procedural violations. In any transparent selection process, candidates should not be part of meetings where their selection is being discussed.
Violation of Selection Norms
The VC Selection Committee should be chaired by a professor, but Satheesh Reddy, a scientist, was appointed despite not meeting this eligibility criterion.
The search committee was formed on October 19-20, 2024, but the panel’s final submission was delayed until November 20, 2024, raising questions about who was influencing the process during this one-month gap.
Who Benefits from This Delayed Process?
There is speculation that the former Vice-Chancellor of IGNOU, whose term recently ended, may be trying to install a favorable successor to protect decisions made during their tenure. The delayed submission of the panel’s report suggests behind-the-scenes maneuvering to ensure a pre-decided candidate secures the position.
Impact on India’s Higher Education
The IGNOU VC selection controversy raises serious concerns about governance and transparency in Indian higher education. If such irregularities are allowed to continue unchecked, it undermines the credibility of academic institutions and puts at risk the dream of a developed India.
While students and scholars across the country are held to high academic and ethical standards, who will hold these policymakers and administrators accountable?
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