CHENNAI: Anna University’s decision to go ahead with the convocation even before choosing a Vice-Chancellor has left faculty members and students fuming. It is only an indication that these academic certificates will have little value in the institutions abroad if they do not carry the signature of the V-C, they point out.
University authorities seeking a date from the Chancellor, Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, to conduct the convocation ceremony has triggered furious opposition from within. In the absence of the Vice-Chancellor, the degree certificates would bear the signature of the higher education secretary, which, experts say, would spell trouble in future, especially in foreign countries.
“If they are not signed by the Vice-Chancellor, students might face problem. The universities in India might accept the certificates, but the foreign universities would refuse to do so,” said S Chandramohan, professor in the Electrical and Electronics Engineering department. As per the amendment in 2011, in the absence of a Vice Chancellor, a senior most professor can officiate in that capacity, including signing certificates, he said. For the record, it has been over 10 months since the prestigious institution is without a head.
Agreeing with him, another professor requesting anonymity added: “Even if they issue the certificates now with higher education secretary’s signature, they will have to reissue them later. The official should not sign especially the PhD certificates; otherwise students will be in big trouble when they head abroad for further studies,” he said.
The confusion that is persisting over this has already hit the students. A scholar who has finished his Ph.D pointed out that the convocation should have been conducted last November-December. “When we last enquired, officials from administration said the convocation dates will be known only after the new V-C was appointed. Without Vice-Chancellor’s signature, I do not know whether the certificate will be valid. I am not sure if higher education secretary’s signature will be accepted,” he said.
The reported move to proceed with the convocation has angered the faculty unions, who have warned of consequences. “There will be protests if there is a convocation. It has never happened in the history of the university where convocation is conducted without a Vice-Chancellor,” said I Arul Aram, president of the Anna University Teachers Association (AUTA).