The Bangalore University (BU) Academic Council on Saturday took serious note of the fact that many affiliated colleges do not have qualified, full-time principals. The university has decided to send notices to such colleges.
This fact was revealed in the local inquiry committees (LIC) reports for renewal of affiliations and granting of permission for new courses and enhancement of student intake. Members pointed out that many colleges had principals who were not qualified enough as per BU statutes.
Members pointed out the cases of Chamrajpet First Grade College and Yadav Degree College, Madhavanagar – both colleges had shown full-time, qualified principals. “This is a serious issue. Can we, as a university, allow our institutions to be headed by non-qualified persons?” questioned R Karuna Moorthy, a member.
Commerce dean M Ramachandra Gowda urged the university to ask colleges to strictly follow Section 23(10) of the BU statutes that lays down requirements for the appointment of principals.
M Narayanaswamy, who headed the LIC that visited the two colleges in question, argued that many colleges had qualified principals. “In government colleges, the post of principal is a cadre I and II post appointed by the government. In the case of private colleges, it is often the senior-most professor who is made principal.”
University Law College principal K M Hanumantharayappa said, “Ten years ago, the Government Law College in Kolar had a Sanskrit professor as principal. Something needs to be done about this.”
V-C B Thimme Gowda said the university will ask such colleges to appoint qualified principals immediately. He added that a sub-committee will be formed to visit colleges to check for compliance, after members complained that many colleges had been recommended affiliation by LICs despite negative observations.