KOCHI: For the first time since its inception, the Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) will conduct a performance audit of its teaching and non-teaching staff.
The system is being introduced as part of Cusat’s efforts to enhance its academic and administrative competence, thereby making it one of the top-ten universities in the country.
“A three-member committee comprising syndicate members has been constituted to set the Key Performance Indicators (KPI), and an assessment committee will conduct the department-wise performance audit. A committee of experts will carry out the assessment,” said Cusat Vice-chancellor J Letha. A resolution on the performance audit was passed at the Syndicate meeting of the varsity.
“It is high time the varsity implemented the concept of performance audit, in order to promote efficiency that would automatically translates into cost-cutting. The audit may be applied to all departments, and the department adjudged as ‘best performing’ at year-end may be allocated additional funds for the coming years,” said Syndicate member R S Sasikumar, who is also a member of the panel constituted for setting the Key Performance Indicators.
It is the first time a university in Kerala is conducting performance audit of its employees. “Over the past few years, Cusat has been expecting to have its status elevated to IIT or IIST. However, after launch of the IIT in Palakkad and IIST in Thiruvananthapuram, now it is almost sure that Cusat’s dream would not be realised. “Now, the effort is to upgrade the quality of the Cusat and make it one of the top-ten varsities in the country in the next few years,” said Sasikumar.
Meanwhile, teaching staff of the university have reportedly raised objection to the proposal to conduct performance audit. They have decided not to cooperate with any audit other than the one mandated by the University Grants Commission (UGC).