KOCHI: With only a few hours left for the announcement of the Chancellor’s award for the best performing University in Kerala, a first of its kind instituted by the Governor, 11 universities are keeping their fingers crossed. The award comprises `5 crore and a citation.
According to sources, Chancellor and Governor P Sathasivam is expected to announce the best University on Tuesday. Though it is proving to be tough for the selection committee, it is learnt that three universities - 78 year-old Kerala University, 44-year-old Cusat and four-year-old Kerala Veterinary and Animal sciences University (KVASU) have found a place in the final list. They have edged out Calicut University, Kannur University, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala Agricultural University, Fisheries University and Malayalam University. Sources said 11 Vice Chancellors interacted with the selection committee chaired by Additional Chief Secretary Dr K M Abraham on Saturday in the presence of other members of the panel and the Governor.
The contentions and claims of the top Vice Chancellors have necessitated one more round of meeting to decide the winner scheduled for Tuesday, said sources.Sources said the first round was neck and neck and the three shortlisted varsities were ahead of the others by just one mark of the total 500 marks allotted for various criteria.The committee decided to convene one more meet prior to the announcement. The KVASU based in Wayanad stunned the time-tested Universities.Kerala University is led by P K Radhakrishnan, a Professor of Chemistry; Cusat by J Letha, a technocrat and Professor of Engineering and KVASU by B Ashok, a bio-technologist turned civil servant.The selection procedures were based on an open invite in which 11 varsities applied. Of the 500 marks allotted, 300 comprise key academic indicators like faculty qualifications, achievement, diversified degree programmes, student achievement, exam reforms and alumni contribution.
Kerala scored well in exam reforms, NAAC ‘A’ grade and timely declaration of results, while CUSAT topped in alumni achievement. The strong points of KVASU included extensive publications, strong entrepreneurship programme, student entrepreneurship, exam reforms and academic integrity.
Three enter the final list
Though it is proving to be tough for the selection committee, it is learnt that 3 universities - 78 year-old Kerala University, 44-year-old Cusat and four-year-old Kerala Veterinary and Animal sciences University have found a place in the final list.