The appointment of a new vice-chancellor in the University of Mumbai is likely to be delayed because of the new procedures instituted by the state government for the selection of vice-chancellors in the state universities. According to sources, the appointment of new V-Cs in other universities— Pune University, Shivaji University (Kolhapur), Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological Institute (Lonere), Yashwantrao Chavan Open University (Nashik)— in the state may also be affected.

For the first time, notifications inviting applications for the post of a vice-chancellor will be published in newspapers. “This has been done to make the process more transparent. All interested candidates will be able to apply with the necessary documents to a nodal person. These candidates will be screened by a committee,” said an official.

From this year, the composition of members of the selection committee has undergone a major overhaul after the government amended the Maharashtra Universities Act 1994 this year in a bid to better the appointment process and to ensure a non-partisan approach in the selection process. The selection committee comprises Andre Béteille, retired professor of sociology, University of Delhi and former member of the National Knowledge Commission, Professor M S Ananth, Director, Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai and J S Saharia, principal secretary, Higher & Technical Education Department. Professor Andre Béteille is the chairman of the committee.

Earlier, the committee comprised five members including an academic council member, a management council member, secretary of the Higher and Technical education, a chancellor appointed nominee and a University Grants Commission (UGC) member. While the committee has already been formed, appointment will take more time as notifications have not been published in newspapers so far. “The selection will take time according to the procedures. The code of conduct is not likely to affect the process in anyway,” said Saharia.

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