The Kerala government has reconstituted the Syndicate of Mahatma Gandhi University after weeks of criticism regarding administrative inaction. This decision,announced on Saturday, comes more than two months into the tenure of the new United Democratic Front (UDF) government, which has faced mounting pressure to address the university's operational paralysis.
The newly formed 15-member Syndicate includes Muvattupuzha MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan and eight representatives from the higher education sector,ensuring a diverse composition that also features a woman member . The absence of a functional Syndicate had stalled numerous academic and administrative decisions,leading to frustration among pro-UDF factions within the university.
Since the last regular meeting on May 20,followed by a special session on May 25 to award honorary D.Litt . degrees to notable figures like actor Mammootty,the university's highest executive body had not convened. the Syndicate is mandated to meet at least bi-monthly. The lack of meetings has left many essential files pending, impacting hundreds of students and delaying critical decisions.
Among the urgent matters awaiting Syndicate approval are the appointments of Principals to affiliated colleges and nominations to various statutory academic bodies. A Syndicate member highlighted that even the issuance of certificates for Ph.D . scholars who have completed their open defense is on hold due to absence of necessary approvals. “Several other administrative decisions,including the release of funds for various academic programs and proposals submitted by the 10 Syndicate subcommittees,are also awaiting approval,” the member stated.
Frustration has been palpable among Syndicate members,particularly after an earlier request to the Vice-Chancellor (V-C) to convene a meeting went unanswered. Allegations have surfaced that the V-C has also delayed meetings of the Academic Council,another essential statutory body, which is supposed to meet every six months. Attempts to reach the V-C for comment on these issues have been unsuccessful.
The situation at the university has grown more contentious as the V-C faces accusations from the Mahatma Gandhi University Employees Association, which is backed by the Left. On Saturday, members of the association protested on campus,claiming that the V-C is using extensive inter-departmental transfers to target employees affiliated with union. This protest followed an order transferring over 20 administrative staff members.
“The transfer and posting of MGU administrative staff have traditionally been the prerogative of Registrar. However, the new V-C,backed by the Sangh Parivar,is attempting to override the established system through unwarranted interventions,” an office bearer of the association alleged. They further pointed to the appointment of an employee currently embroiled in litigation against the university over promotion dispute as head of the university’s legal wing,calling it a clear conflict of interest.
As the university grapples with these internal conflicts,the reconstitution of the Syndicate may provide a pathway to restore order and address the backlog of pending decisions. However,the ongoing tensions between the administration and university employees suggest that significant challenges remain ahead.
