Former Anna University Vice-Chancellor Urges CM Stalin to Appoint full-time Vice-Chancellors to resolve higher education crisis

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], October 6(ANI): Former Anna University Vice-Chancellor, Professor E Balagurusamy, has written to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, urging the government to appoint full-time vice-chancellors for universities across the state. He expressed grave concern over the stagnation in the higher education sector, attributed to prolonged vacancies in administrative posts.
In his letter, Balagurusamy highlighted the detrimental impact of the absence of permanent vice-chancellors at several state universities, pointing out the resulting delays in both academic and administrative functions.
"Tamil Nadu has always been a pioneer in inclusive, equitable, and high-quality education. However, several universities have been functioning without full-time vice-chancellors for years, resulting in a standstill in the growth of higher education," he wrote.
Balagurusamy raised several critical issues stemming from these vacancies. He noted that the delay in faculty recruitment and promotions has left many teaching positions unfilled, placing an undue burden on the existing staff and negatively affecting both the quality of education and research output.
Academic decision-making has also been stalled, resulting in delays in implementing new curricula, introducing programs, and establishing research collaborations. Inefficient fund utilisation has prevented universities from effectively using allocations for infrastructure, research grants, and student facilities.
Students face multiple grievances, including postponed examinations, delayed results, unheld counselling sessions, and late certificate issuance, which impact both their academics and job prospects.
Furthermore, accreditation and ranking concerns have emerged, with universities struggling to meet the requirements of the NAAC and NIRF, which threaten their national recognition. Overall, administrative instability has created uncertainty and demoralisation among faculty and students.
Balagurusamy emphasised that universities require "strong, visionary, and permanent leadership" to function effectively.
"Vice-chancellors are not just administrative heads but academic leaders who can guide their institutions to compete globally," he stated.
He urged the Chief Minister to personally intervene and establish a transparent, time-bound process for appointing qualified and honest vice-chancellors, based on merit and educational credentials. Such action, he added, would restore confidence in the state's higher education system and demonstrate the government's commitment to improving academic standards.
Concluding the letter, Balagurusamy expressed confidence that under Chief Minister Stalin's leadership, the government would take swift and decisive action to resolve the crisis in Tamil Nadu's higher education sector. (ANI)