Latest news with #Gurukkal
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Teachers' unions slam KSHEC vice-chairperson Rajan Gurukkal's remarks on the administrative deadlock at Kerala University
Three major Left-leaning teachers' organisations have strongly criticised Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC) vice-chairperson Rajan Gurukkal for making 'distorted interpretations' that allegedly justify and empower 'authoritarian tendencies' by the Vice-Chancellor (V-C) in-charge of Kerala University, Mohanan Kunnummal. Prof. Gurukkal, during a recent interview with The Hindu, had emphasised the role of the Vice-Chancellor as the sole executive and academic head of the university. He also faulted the Syndicate for the existing administrative impasse that has affected the institution's functioning. In their joint statement, All Kerala Private College Teachers' Association (AKPCTA), the Association of Kerala Government College Teachers (AKGCT) and the Federation of University Teachers' Associations (FUTA) accused Prof. Gurukkal of undermining the democratic ethos enshrined in the Kerala University Act by seemingly endorsing a top-down administrative model in university governance. 'Kerala's universities are not centres of autocracy, but democratic institutions rooted in the renaissance legacy of social justice and collective decision-making,' the statement read. The organisations also took umbrage at Prof. Gurukkal's perceived silence on the alleged misuse of powers by a temporary V-C who has been purportedly acting in violation of university statutes. According to the unions, the V-C's recent actions of bypassing the Syndicate and other statutory bodies and issuing unilateral orders violate not only the letter, but the spirit of the University Act. Clause 10(13), which allows the V-C to act independently only under extraordinary circumstances, is being misused, they claim. The joint statement accuses the V-C of showing intolerance towards student democratic bodies and pursuing an administrative agenda that aligns with right-wing interests. It warns that such actions, if unopposed, will lead to the erosion of academic freedom and institutional integrity. The unions also refuted Prof. Gurukkal's assertion that the V-C's approval is needed to implement Syndicate decisions. 'Chapter 6, Clause 2 of the Kerala University Statute allows the Syndicate to convene even in the V-C's absence. The V-C can chair the Syndicate and cast a vote if necessary, but they do not have veto power. The notion that Syndicate decisions require the V-C's approval is a serious legal violation. The High Court has ruled that such power is not granted under the University Act.'
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
KU crisis: Pro-left syndicate members counter Gurukkal's statement, demand its withdrawal
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Pro-left Syndicate members of Kerala University have urged Kerala State Higher Education Council vice-chairperson Rajan Gurukkal to retract his statement blaming the Kerala University Syndicate for the current crisis in the university. The Syndicate members said Gurukkal's aspersions on the Syndicate were not only erroneous but also lent unintended grist to the Sangh Parivar's mill. In a statement on July 20, Gurukkal had said the Syndicate's ignorance of the Act and Statutes was the prime reason for the crisis. According to M Lenin Lal, pro-LDF syndicate member, Gurukkal's accusation of statutory violations by the Kerala University Syndicate is wholly unfounded. The real flashpoint lies in the overreach of Vice-Chancellor-in-Charge Mohanan Kunnummal. On July 2, Kunnummal suspended Registrar K.S. Anil Kumar for cancelling a private event at the Senate Hall, where a portrait of Bharat Mata, adorned with a saffron flag, was displayed in the presence of Governor Rajendra Arlekar. Citing Section 10(13) of the Kerala University Act, Kunnummal claimed an emergency necessitated his decision. However, Section 10(14) explicitly restricts the Vice-Chancellor's authority to suspend officers above the rank of Deputy Registrar, such as the Registrar, a senior officer under Chapter III, Section 9.
The Hindu
20-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kerala University owes its crisis to Syndicate's ignorance of the Act and Statutes: Rajan Gurukkal
Kerala State Higher Education Council vice-chairperson Rajan Gurukkal has strongly criticised the Kerala University Syndicate, holding it responsible for the prevailing administrative deadlock that has disrupted the university's functioning. The Syndicate's 'ignorance of the Act and the Statutes,' he said, has created the ongoing crisis. Prof. Gurukkal stated that the Syndicate, chaired by the Vice-Chancellor (V-C), is the executive body of any university, and without the Vice-Chancellor, the Syndicate has no legal or functional existence. 'However, many mistakenly see the Syndicate and the Vice-Chancellor as separate entities. This statutory ignorance is the root-cause of the crisis in Kerala University. In fact, the Syndicate members have no individual authority outside their collective role. At the same time, the Vice-Chancellor is the sole chief executive and academic head of the university,' he asserted. He added that the unanimous decisions adopted by the Syndicate are legally void, unless the meetings are presided over by the Vice-Chancellor. Besides, in cases of insubordination, Registrars must be aware that their statutory powers ultimately depend on the Vice-Chancellor's discretion. False convention According to him, Kerala University has long upheld the false convention of treating Syndicate members as individual authorities. Under this 'illusion,' members have enjoyed undue privileges, such as private offices, considering themselves to be like 'Ministers' in a university 'Cabinet,' despite having no individual portfolios or administrative powers. 'Members may serve on standing committees related to academics, administration, examinations and other areas, but these are meant to aid Syndicate decision-making faster and do not confer executive authority. Such roles require small meeting rooms, not personal offices. Legally, they are entitled solely to temporary accommodation, whether on campus or elsewhere at the university's expense,' Prof. Gurukkal said. The academic also suggested that Syndicate members, who are often nominated from various constituencies, may be academically outdated or politically backed individuals, lacking the expertise or vision needed for university growth. Many are unfamiliar with even the basic University Act and Statutes. 'But when members aligned with the ruling party form a caucus, they may promote narrow agendas. Interestingly, real politicians like MLAs or MPs who serve on the Syndicates rarely engage in such behaviour.'
The Hindu
02-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
KSHEC's push for internationalisation shows gains
The Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC) has seen remarkable progress with its 'Study in Kerala' initiative, aimed at positioning the State as a prominent destination for higher education. Council vice-chairperson Rajan Gurukkal said that the ongoing internationalisation efforts have already begun to show encouraging results. Universities have been witnessing a notable increase in the number of foreign students seeking admission for various academic programmes. This growing trend of internationalisation has also led to the establishment of academic tie-ups between Kerala's higher education institutions and prestigious foreign universities. A significant milestone was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between KSHEC and the University of Michigan-Flint. This agreement opens the door to student exchange programmes and short-term academic visits, Prof. Gurukkal pointed out, adding that discussions are under way with several other international universities for similar partnerships. He also stated that experts like Sapna Thwaite and Zachariah Mathew from University of Michigan-Flint, and Matthew A. Witenstein from University of Dayton, participated in a recent quality enhancement workshop organised to meet globally benchmark standards. 'KSHEC has been instrumental in guiding colleges and universities in the State to explore similar international partnerships. The council's dedicated unit for internationalisation, led by Eldho Mathew, is working closely with national and international bodies to promote Kerala's educational offerings to the global audience. One such example is the council's collaboration with the 'Study in India' programme, a national forum for internationalisation of higher education. Currently, 29 colleges and seven universities from Kerala are part of the forum, Prof. Gurukkal pointed out. The council is also building ties with international organisations like the World Bank and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which will bring in expert knowledge to further enhance Kerala's education system. Council member secretary Rajan Varughese said the ongoing efforts will be bolstered with the release of KSHEC's new mobile and web application called Scholar Connect. The app will link scholars from Kerala who live abroad with higher education institutions in the State. These scholars, acting as ambassadors, will play a pivotal role in bringing in short-term international students and long-term academic collaborations.
