VTU VC appointment: Former officials allege irregularities, favouritism

According to a VTU official, VTU Registrar Anand Deshpande and S Vidyashankar, VC of the Karnataka State Open University in Mysore, appear to be the strong contenders for the VC’s post. 

As per a report published in The Indian Express, former vice-chancellors (VC) of Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) have objected to the alleged irregularities and favouritism in the selection process of the new VC by the present VC Dr Karisidappa. They also alleged that the university was flouting rules related to the release of funds. 

Former VCs requesting anonymity alleged that VTU Registrar Anand Deshpande and Kripa Shanker, a member of the Academic Council of Gogte Institute of Technology, Belagavi , both members of the search committee, are in the race for the VC chair.  

Alleging favouritism, one of the former VCs said, “Why hire a person as a member of the search committee if he is also a candidate for the VC race? Moreover, some members are not even associated with the VTU and are part of the search committee because of their close association with the present VC. Many senior professors were eligible but the appointment is being done on the basis of favouritism.”  

80 applications for VC post  

According to a VTU official, the university received 80 applications for the VC post this year. Deshpande and professor S Vidyashankar appear to be the strong contenders. Sources said Vidyashankar, VC of the Karnataka State Open University in Mysore, is a close aide of Higher Education Minister Dr CN Ashwath Narayan.  

Former officials of the VTU also pointed out that, as per rules, vice-chancellors are directed not to take any major policy decisions if their tenure ends within two months. However, Karisidappa, who will be relieved from his duty as VC on September 23, allowed the release of INR 20 crore as the second tranche of the funds for developmental works of a university in Mysore earlier this month. 

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