Month before exams, varsity rushes to fill key positions
With only a month to go for the Mumbai University examinations, the varsity has begun the process of advertising for key posts that still do not have permanent appointees. Bhavya Dore reports.
With only a month to go for the Mumbai University examinations, the varsity has begun the process of advertising for key posts that still do not have permanent appointees.
These include a controller of examinations, a registrar and four deputy registrars, among others. These posts are currently occupied by officials appointed on a non-permanent basis.
The university also does not have a director of examinations, a special post it created last year following exam-related mishaps.
The registrar and controller are responsible for ensuring the smooth conduct of exams, including paper evaluation and declaration of results among other things.
An advertisement for the posts of registrar, deputy and assistant registrars was issued in newspapers just this week, while an advertisement for the post of controller of examinations was issued in January.
“There is a process,” said Naresh Chandra, pro vice-chancellor of the university, when asked how long it would take for these positions to be filled.
Last year, following the uproar over multiple goof-ups, including paper leaks, exam centre allotment errors and hall ticket blunders, the university, had made various appointments.
While Chandra took charge as pro vice-chancellor, a post that was vacant for two years, Kumar Khaire took charge as registrar and MC Deo, principal of Gogate-Joglekar College in Ratnagiri, as director of exams.
“Qualified people are not easily available for these positions,” said RT Sane, former Ruia College principal and head of the Guru Nanak Institute of Research and Development.
“If officials are appointed on a temporary basis, there is less responsibility. They can quit whenever they want. The number of exams the university has to conduct has doubled because of the semester system, so it is essential to have fully-functional leadership.”
The university conducts more than 40,000 examinations a year.
The entire process of putting out the advertisement, accepting applications, scrutinising them and appointing people could take two or three months. Until then, those holding temporary charge will continue.