Chennai: DMK MP P Wilson on Wednesday opposed Tamil Nadu govt’s reported move to include a University Grants Commission nominee in university vice-chancellor search committees.Wilson told reporters in Chennai that it would dilute the state’s constitutional authority over higher education and cede powers to Union govt. “Including a UGC nominee in the vice-chancellor selection panel amounts to surrendering Tamil Nadu’s rights to Union govt,” he said.Reacting to higher education minister Viswanathan’s announcement that the number of members in vice-chancellor search committees could be increased from three to five, Wilson said the proposal would facilitate the inclusion of a UGC nominee and additional governor nominees, thereby weakening the state’s role in appointing vice-chancellors. He said the existing three-member panel, comprising nominees of the governor, state govt and the university syndicate, adequately safeguarded the state’s interests.Wilson said the previous DMK govt rejected the UGC’s 2018 regulations requiring a UGC nominee on vice-chancellor search panels and challenged the provision before Supreme Court. DMK govt also enacted legislation to vest the power to appoint vice-chancellors with the chief minister after a prolonged legal battle over the governor’s role.
