A panel set up by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to promote and improve the quality of research in Indian universities, has called for a review of the way Vice-Chancellors (V-Cs) are appointed. The panel emphasised that the quality of research culture depended on good academic leadership.
In the last three years, several appointments have come under fire, with some V-Cs being removed because of financial irregularities and lack of qualifications.
“The UGC /MHRD as well as State governments must seriously review the mechanism by which Vice-Chancellors are appointed. Good academic leadership is essential for improving the research culture, including the quality of Ph.D./M.Phil. Degrees,” says the report of the committee headed by former Indian Institute of Science director P. Balaram. The report was made public on Wednesday.
The report underlines that “It is also extremely important to ensure that Governing Bodies of the universities [syndicate/executive council etc.] have eminent academics as members.”
