Deans appointed by flouting norms in Kannur varsity, alleges forum

The recent appointment of ten deans for various Faculties at Kannur University on May 3 has sparked criticism over alleged violations of the University’s statutory provisions.

Concerns have been raised that all appointed deans are from outside the University’s own departments, contrary to the Kannur University first statute of 1998.

The Chancellor had nominated 10 deans, which includes P. Rameshan for Faculty of Humanities, Manu for Faculty of Language and Literature, K. Girish Kumar for Faculty of Science, G. Kishore for Faculty of Sports Science and Physical Education, Shivarama Rao K. for Faculty of Sciences, T. V. Manikandan for Faculty of Fine Arts, Sathish Gowda N. for Faculty of Law, M. Bhasi for Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, Sreekala Edannur for Faculty of Education and Santhosh Kumar M.B. for Faculty of Technology.

In a letter to the Chancellor, Dr. Shino P Jose, convener of the UDF Senators Forum, stated that all ten deans appointed in May were selected from outside the University’s own departments. This, he said, directly contravenes Chapter XIIm clause 4 of the statute, which mandates that deans must be appointed “from among the Professors of University Departments.”

He pointed out that “University Department” is clearly defined in Chapter 1 clause 2(e), and again in Chapter XLIV of the statute as a department of study, research or specific purpose functioning under the direct control of the university and maintained by the University Fund.

Citing these definition, Dr. Jose asserted that the current appointments were made in disregard of statutory provisions and called on the Chancellor to reconsider the decision in order to ensure compliance with the Act and the University’s own regulation.