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India Today
15-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Kerala High Court rejects Governor's appeal on Vice Chancellor appointments
The Kerala High Court has upheld its earlier ruling that annulled the temporary appointments of Vice Chancellors (VCs) to two state universities by the former Governor. A division bench comprising Justice Anil K Narendran and Justice PV Balakrishnan upheld the single judge verdict, stating that the temporary appointments made at Kerala Digital University and APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University were not legally Governor, who also is the Chancellor of the universities, had filed the appeal challenging the single bench order that deemed the appointments procedurally flawed. The court found merit in the original observation that the appointments had bypassed the proper legal case concerns the Governor's decision to appoint Ciza Thomas as the temporary Vice Chancellor of Kerala Digital University and K Sivaprasad as APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University VC. These appointments were made through separate notifications issued on November 27, 2024. The division bench observed that the University Grants Commission Regulations of 2010 and 2018 do not address temporary VC appointments pending regular ones. It referred to Section 13(7) of the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University Act and Section 11(10) of the Kerala Digital University Act, which allow the Chancellor to appoint a temporary VC only for up to six months, and only with the state government's court held that the Chancellor had no authority to appoint anyone as VC 'until further orders,' as was done in these cases without the required recommendation. It upheld the single judge's decision to strike down those appointments, saying there was no reason to interfere with the May 19, 2025, judgment. The writ appeals were High Court also noted that the prolonged absence of regular VCs had harmed the functioning of both universities and affected students. It urged the Chancellor and the state government to act promptly and appoint full-time VCs without case involved two writ appeals: One challenged the annulment of Ciza Thomas's appointment as VC of Kerala Digital University. The court noted her appointment violated the 2021 Act, which requires state government recommendation. However, it did not remove her, as her six-month term was ending on May second related to K Sivaprasad's temporary appointment as VC of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University. The court found that the Chancellor had not followed Section 13(7) of the 2015 Act, which also requires a government recommendation. As his tenure was nearly over, the court did not intervene. - Ends IN THIS STORY#Kerala
Hindustan Times
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Setback for Guv as Kerala HC rejects appeals over temporary VC appointments at two varsities
Kochi, In a setback to the Kerala Governor, who also serves as the Chancellor of major universities in the state, the High Court on Monday dismissed writ petitions challenging a single judge's verdict that declared the temporary appointments of Vice-Chancellors at J Abdul Kalam Technological University and Kerala Digital University as unsustainable. Setback for Guv as Kerala HC rejects appeals over temporary VC appointments at two varsities The appeals were filed by the Chancellor and others, against the May 19, 2025 judgment which said the appointments were made without following proper legal procedure. The controversy began after the Chancellor appointed two persons Ciza Thomas to the Kerala Digital University and K Sivaprasad to the J Abdul Kalam Technological University to the temporary posts of VC through notifications issued on November 27, 2024. These appointments were made under the respective University Acts, citing powers to fill the post for a maximum of six months in the absence of a regular VC. However, the state government challenged the appointments, arguing that they did not follow the procedure laid down in the Acts which require a panel of names to be recommended by the government and did not comply with University Grants Commission regulations. The High Court's Division Bench, comprising Justices Anil K Narendran and P V Balakrishnan, upheld the single judge's ruling, agreeing that the notifications lacked legal backing. The court observed that although the appointments were temporary, they still required adherence to the statutory process, including the submission of a panel of at least three eligible names by the government. The judges also emphasised the importance of the VC's role, calling them the "bridge between academic and administrative functions" of a university. They referred to earlier Supreme Court judgments which stressed that VCs must be selected independently, without political or external pressure, and in the best interest of the university. While dismissing the appeals, the court noted the ongoing administrative deadlock in both universities and its negative effect on students. It urged the Chancellor and the state government to act promptly to make regular VC appointments in line with the law and UGC norms. "Considering the stalemate existing in the administration of the Technological University and the Digital University, which is continuing for a considerably long period, and which had an adverse impact on the functioning of the said universities and the interest of the student community, we are of the view that the Chancellor as well as the State Government will have to act pro-actively, to ensure that regular appointment to the post of Vice-Chancellor in the said Universities are made, without any further delay," the court said. The court also clarified that the UGC's 2018 regulations regarding qualifications and appointment procedures for university teachers and academic staff would override any conflicting provisions in state legislation. The verdict has come as a relief for the CPI-led Left government, which has been at odds with the Governor over the administration of universities in the state. Welcoming the HC order, Higher Education Minister R Bindu said the court had confirmed that the Governor's actions in appointing Vice-Chancellors were unlawful. She said the High Court's rejection of the Governor's appeal supported what the state government had been saying all along. "The Governor has powers, but when he crosses the limits, it causes problems," the minister said. She also called the Chancellor's move which she claimed could damage the reputation of universities disgraceful. General Education and Labour Minister V Sivankutty also welcomed the ruling, calling it a win for the government's efforts to ensure transparency in the education sector. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
NDTV
14-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Court Quashes Kerala Governors Vice Chancellor Picks, Urges Lawful Appointments
Kochi: In a setback to the Kerala Governor, who also serves as the Chancellor of major universities in the state, the High Court on Monday dismissed writ petitions challenging a single judge's verdict that declared the temporary appointments of Vice-Chancellors at APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University and Kerala Digital University as unsustainable. The appeals were filed by the Chancellor and others, against the May 19, 2025 judgment which said the appointments were made without following proper legal procedure. The controversy began after the Chancellor appointed two persons--Ciza Thomas to the Kerala Digital University and K Sivaprasad to the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University --to the temporary posts of VC through notifications issued on November 27, 2024. These appointments were made under the respective University Acts, citing powers to fill the post for a maximum of six months in the absence of a regular VC. However, the state government challenged the appointments, arguing that they did not follow the procedure laid down in the Acts -- which require a panel of names to be recommended by the government -- and did not comply with University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations. The High Court's Division Bench, comprising Justices Anil K Narendran and P V Balakrishnan, upheld the single judge's ruling, agreeing that the notifications lacked legal backing. The court observed that although the appointments were temporary, they still required adherence to the statutory process, including the submission of a panel of at least three eligible names by the government. The judges also emphasised the importance of the VC's role, calling them the "bridge between academic and administrative functions" of a university. They referred to earlier Supreme Court judgments which stressed that VCs must be selected independently, without political or external pressure, and in the best interest of the university. While dismissing the appeals, the court noted the ongoing administrative deadlock in both universities and its negative effect on students. It urged the Chancellor and the state government to act promptly to make regular VC appointments in line with the law and UGC norms. "Considering the stalemate existing in the administration of the Technological University and the Digital University, which is continuing for a considerably long period, and which had an adverse impact on the functioning of the said universities and the interest of the student community, we are of the view that the Chancellor as well as the State Government will have to act pro-actively, to ensure that regular appointment to the post of Vice-Chancellor in the said Universities are made, without any further delay," the court said. The court also clarified that the UGC's 2018 regulations regarding qualifications and appointment procedures for university teachers and academic staff would override any conflicting provisions in state legislation. The verdict has come as a relief for the CPI(M)-led Left government, which has been at odds with the Governor over the administration of universities in the state. Welcoming the HC order, Higher Education Minister R Bindu said the court had confirmed that the Governor's actions in appointing Vice-Chancellors were unlawful. She said the High Court's rejection of the Governor's appeal supported what the state government had been saying all along. "The Governor has powers, but when he crosses the limits, it causes problems," the minister said. She also called the Chancellor's move --which she claimed could damage the reputation of universities --disgraceful. General Education and Labour Minister V Sivankutty also welcomed the ruling, calling it a win for the government's efforts to ensure transparency in the education sector.
The Hindu
14-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
HC annuls appointment of temporary V-Cs in two universities
A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Monday upheld a Single Bench order of May 19 that had termed as 'not sustainable in law' the appointment of K. Sivaprasad and Ciza Thomas as temporary Vice-Chancellors of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University and the Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology, respectively. Monday's order was passed by a Division Bench comprising Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice P.V. Balakrishnan, while dismissing an appeal filed by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who is also the Chancellor of the two universities, challenging the single judge's order. While Mr. Sivaprasad had earlier been working as Professor, Department of Ship Technology, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Ms. Thomas had retired as Senior Joint Director from the Directorate of Technical Education. The Division Bench said in its judgment that an order of temporary appointment of Vice-Chancellors, issued by the Chancellor in exercise of the powers under Section 13(7) of the Technological University Act or Section 11(10) of the Digital University Act, shall be for a period of not exceeding six months, in the aggregate. Therefore, the Chancellor has no power to issue notifications appointing a person to exercise the powers and perform the duties of the Vice-Chancellor of the two universities, until further orders, pending regular appointment of the Vice-Chancellor. In such circumstances, the single judge cannot be found at fault for declaring the notifications as not sustainable in law, the Bench added. The Bench reminded that the Chancellor and the State Government ought to act proactively to ensure that regular appointment is made to the post of Vice-Chancellor in the universities without any delay. This was after considering the stalemate in the administration of the two universities, which has been continuing for a considerable period, and which harmed their functioning and also the interest of the student community, it said. Advocate General K. Gopalakrishna Kurup submitted that the Chancellor cannot appoint any person to exercise the powers and perform the duties of the Vice-Chancellor of the universities, unless the name was recommended by the government. Referring to Section 13(7) of the Technological University Act, where the vacancy of Vice-Chancellor arises in any of the circumstances enumerated in clauses (i) to (v), the Chancellor may appoint the Vice-Chancellor of any other university or the Pro-Vice Chancellor of the technological university or the Secretary to Government, Higher Education Department, as recommended by the government, to be the Vice-Chancellor for a period not exceeding six months in the aggregate. Likewise, as per Section 11(10) of the Digital University Act, if there was a temporary vacancy in the post of Vice-Chancellor due to any unforeseen reason, the Chancellor may appoint the Vice-Chancellor of any other University or the Secretary of the Electronics and Information Technology Department, as recommended by the government, to be the Vice-Chancellor for a period not exceeding six months, in the aggregate, the court observed. Citing observations of the Supreme Court and how universities ought to function in an autonomous manner, the court further said being a leader and head of the institution, the V-C has to play an important role. The V-C functions as a bridge between the executive and academic wings of the university. As per norms, the V-C must be an eminent academician, and excellent administrator and also someone having high moral stature, it said.
The Hindu
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Digital university, Tata Elxsi enter into MoU
The Digital University of Kerala (DUK) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Tata Elxsi Limited to collaborate on technology-driven initiatives and cybersecurity projects. The agreement was officially exchanged on the university campus on July 4 by Vice-Chancellor in-charge Ciza Thomas and Tata Elxsi vice president K.P. Sreekumar. This strategic partnership aims to foster capacity building, knowledge exchange and the joint development of innovative technology solutions. As part of the collaboration, Tata Elxsi and DUK will work together on a Ministry of Electronics and IT-funded project for automated security product development, an official release stated. DUK Registrar A. Mujeeb, Dean (Academics) Asharaf S., and Project Investigator & Chair, School of Computer Science and Engineering Preetam Mukherjee were also present on the occasion.
