Teachers’ internal politics marring the image of Punjabi University; students suffer as faculty members not joining key posts
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ July 12,2024
On July 4, Punjabi University authorities had appointed its senior faculty members on key posts. Till today, after the passage of around one week, four key posts are still vacant, affecting the working of the university in the ongoing admissions, results time.
As per available information, the senior faculty members failed to join on key posts of controller examination, director of international affairs, dean students’ welfare and chairperson of Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at work Place. Rests of the faculty members have already joined their position on next working day.
This is not enough. The university doesn’t have a regular Registrar. After the resignation of Navjot Kaur the charge of registrar is looked after by dean academic affairs Ashok Kumar Tiwari, since June 5,2024. Even after the resignation of Dr Vishal Goyal, the charge of controller examination is also held with Ashok Kumar Tiwari since July 5,2024.
As per available information, all these senior faculty members have one thing in common- “I was never consulted before the appointment nor was any consent taken”. They all are saying this thing.
In their internal communication, a teacher responded “I believe this is not a dignified way! The higher administration thinks teachers are so desperate to grab such positions which are rather an additional responsibility with full time job i.e. teaching and research!” Another said “Thanks to all for your good wishes. I was never consulted before the appointment nor any consent was taken .I am surprised”
“If these seats remain vacant, the ongoing exams, results, admissions are going to suffer as these are key posts. Many international students take admissions in Punjabi University campus. With no dean, director of international affairs the foreign students will suffer. Similarly, the new students face lots of problems like allotment of hostels etc. With no regular dean students’ welfare, the newly admitted students are going to suffer. This is not enough. The key post of controller examination is vacant. This will have a negative impact on all types of declaration of results. The students who want to pursue higher studies are going to suffer the most” said a senior faculty member of the university, on the condition of anonymity.
Another faculty member said “speculations are rife in the university that many senior, influential faculty members are eyeing the key posts of registrar, dean academic affairs and due to this they are not joining on the given positions. The post of registrar is already vacant and the post of dean academic affairs is going to vacant by the end of this month. Some of the teachers eyeing other key posts besides the above two posts. ”
Another faculty member said “they might not be joining their new duties as the state government has already advertise the post of regular vice chancellor and the last date to apply is July 22,2024.Hopefully by the end of this month, new vice chancellor will join the university. After his or her joining, the new incumbent will do the administrative changes. That’s why they might be reluctant to join the posts just for few days.”
When contacted Dr Manjit Singh, the newly appointed controller of examination said “recently I left the job of registrar, JGND Punjab State Open University and came back to my parent department at Punjabi University to continue with my academic activities, which I failed to do during my deputation to Open University. When questioned why he didn’t join on the post of controller examination, he said nobody consulted me before assigning the duty.”
Teachers’ internal politics marring the image of Punjabi University; faculty members not joining key posts .The university has appointed senior faculty member Dr Ritu Lehal of school of applied management as dean, director of international affairs. Similarly, Dr Gurmeet Kaur , professor electronics and communication engineering had been appointed as the chairperson of Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at work Place Cell’s internal grievances committee .
Also Dr Nivedita Uppal , professor of music department was appointed as dean students welfare and Dr Manjit Singh of applied management was appointed controller of examination, Punjabi University.
ALSO READ:
Major reshuffling in Punjabi University; deans, directors etc appointed
