Chandigarh: Panjab University (PU) may finally have a regular vice-chancellor, but its elected governing body remains elusive, with the university yet to formally constitute its new Senate even after Nov 1, the traditional date for the commencement of the house’s four-year tenure, passed without a notification.The delay assumes significance ahead of the Dec 5 convocation, which will be chaired by Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan, who is also Chancellor of the university. The appointment of a regular VC has ended a 103-day leadership vacuum, but the university continues to function without its elected apex governing body, while several important administrative positions remain under additional charge arrangements.Prof Tankeshwar Kumar, appointed VC for three years on Nov 9, is expected to assume charge this week. However, the notification constituting the new 91-member Senate is still awaited, despite the election process having been completed on Oct 4.The previous Senate completed its four-year tenure on Oct 31, 2024. Nov 1, 2026, was the traditional date for the commencement of the new Senate’s four-year tenure, but the date passed without the house being formally constituted. While results for all 47 elected fellowships have been declared, the elected members are yet to be formally notified by the Chancellor. The 36 Chancellor-nominated members are also awaited.The new Senate will comprise 47 elected fellows, 36 members nominated by the Chancellor, two nominees of the Punjab legislative assembly and six ex-officio members. Its constitution is also necessary for the election of the new Syndicate, the university’s principal executive body, which is elected from among Senate fellows.The delay comes despite the university having completed the electoral exercise. The absence of a formally constituted house has left major institutional governance decisions without the participation of an elected Senate, with the university continuing to operate through its existing administrative and committee mechanisms.The governance vacuum is not limited to the Senate. In a Nov 2 letter to the Chancellor, the Panjab University Teachers’ Association (PUTA) had flagged the continued absence of regular appointments to four key administrative positions: VC, registrar, controller of examinations and dean, College Development Council (DCDC).The registrar’s post has been under an additional charge arrangement since May 2022, while the controller of examinations has been functioning under a similar arrangement since Nov 2020. The DCDC has not had a regular appointment since 2016.With Kumar set to take charge, the responsibility of moving the pending governance processes forward will now rest with the new VC. The Dece 5 convocation will also bring the Chancellor back to the campus, with the constitution of the Senate and regular appointments to key administrative posts remaining major issues before the university.
