As the new academic year begins, Osmania University and nine other state universities in Telangana are grappling with a leadership void, as they are still led by in-charge Vice-Chancellors. This situation is particularly critical for Osmania University, whose National Accreditation and Assessment Council (NAAC) accreditation is set to expire in September, necessitating the urgent appointment of a full-time Vice-Chancellor to manage the process.
The terms of the regular Vice-Chancellors ended on May 21, 2024. Although Principal Secretary of the Education Department, Burra Venkatesham, issued an order for officiating Vice-Chancellors until June 15 or until regular Vice-Chancellors are appointed, the process has been delayed. Sources indicate that while the order was extended beyond June 15, the appointment process for new Vice-Chancellors is still ongoing.
Professors, who requested anonymity, expressed concerns about the leadership crisis at the start of the academic year. “It is the beginning of the year, and there is a lot of work such as introducing new courses and providing guidance to professors. The absence of new leadership is a significant issue. For instance, Osmania University alone has 750 affiliated colleges. Decisions regarding these institutions, as well as hostel recruitment and infrastructure issues, are being delayed. Recently, we witnessed students protesting for hostel allotments,” a professor stated.
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Additionally, universities are facing retirements of teaching and non-teaching staff, which requires processing their benefits. “If a professor has worked for 30 years, there are procedures that need to be initiated. Vice-Chancellors are already occupied with numerous activities, making their swift appointment essential,” another senior professor added.
The urgency is particularly pronounced for Osmania University, where the NAAC accreditation process requires a full-time Vice-Chancellor. “Every day, a Vice-Chancellor has almost 100 to 150 files to sign, which necessitates a full-time presence,” a senior professor explained. The current arrangement, where officiating Vice-Chancellors either call authorities to their offices or visit universities in the city, is insufficient for rural universities. Bureaucrats take almost half a day to travel to these areas, further complicating the situation.
Despite efforts to contact the Education Department officials for comments on the appointment of Vice-Chancellors, there has been no response. However, it is reported that committees have been formed to process the applications received for the Vice-Chancellors’ posts.
This delay in appointing full-time Vice-Chancellors is causing significant administrative and academic disruptions, underscoring the urgent need for swift resolution, especially with the critical NAAC accreditation deadline approaching for Osmania University.
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