Srinagar: SKUAST Kashmir Scientists and Teachers Association (SSTA) have appealed Leitenant General Manoj Sinha, who is also the Chancellor of the varsity, for appointment of a permanent Vice Chancellor at the University and do away with the present care taker arrangement.
In a statement issued to Ziraat Times today, SSTA President, Dr S A Dar, said, “For the last more than four months, a highest seat of learning is run by the caretaker as the government has not appointed permanent new Vice-chancellor, which is hampering administrative work.”
“We are aware that the search committee is on the job but the selection process has been delayed due to reasons unknown. Despite the passage of over four months there is no progress in the selection of a new Vice-Chancellor. It seems that the government may appoint caretaker VC which will not be in the interest of the institution as well as does not work with long term goals”, the statement added.
“The present caretaker VC is no doubt working hard to fill the vacuum but unable to deliver much because of a moratorium leaving a small space for administrative authority”, the teachers said adding, “the tenure of acting VC will end as he is retiring by the end of this month. Simultaneously posts of Director Research, Director Extension etc. will remain vacant and it severely affects the working of SKUAST-K and could bring administrative bedlams for the employees and students and to the institution as a whole”.
“SSTA realized that it is imperative to highlight the issue and request LG Manoj Sinha Ji, being the Chancellor of SKUAST-K, kindly to intervene in this matter and direct the search committee to accelerate the process for the appointment of the new Vice-chancellor as soon as possible for the smooth functioning of university”, the statement further reads.
SSTA hopes that the authorities will come up with the expectations of SKUAST-K employees by preferring the candidates belonging to the state while appointing new Vice-chancellor for the university having academic excellence and administrative experience.