MU looks to fill controller of examinations post

MUMBAI: The University of Mumbai (MU) has once again called for interested and eligible candidates for the post of Controller of Examinations (COE), a post which has been lying vacant since August last year. This is the third time in less than a year that the varsity has called for applicants. During the previous two times, the process was scrapped midway.

HT Image

“The last day for applications was August 30. Of the 13 applications we received, six to seven are eligible candidates. Interviews will be conducted in the first week of October,” said M A Khan, registrar, MU. While the COE’s post is currently being handled temporarily by deputy registrar Deepak Wasave, it has not found a full-time official since former COE Dinesh Bonde quit in August 2015.

“There’s a lot of responsibility over the post of COE.Not having a permanent official is affecting the university’s routine. With examinations less than a month away, we want to make sure we have a permanent employee in place,” said a senior official from the examination committee. Apart from the final year examinations usually conducted by the university, this year, MU has also decided to conduct a common examination for all first year students by introducing a common exam paper.

In January, four probable candidates were shortlisted by a committee but the process was scrapped due to a clause in the new Maharashtra Public Universities Bill, 2015, which has no provisions for a Controller of Examination. The new post under the Act is ‘Director (Assessment and Evaluation)’ and the COE’s validity will last only until this Act is implemented. Similarly in May, another group of shortlisted candidates were not called for interviews as the selection committee did not find a single candidate eligible for the post.

This time round, the job profile has been advertised with a caveat. “We have clearly stated that the tenure will either be five years, or as per the provisions of the new Act, as and when it is implemented,” added Khan.