There are three press items on comments made by outgoing VC of CUSAT (Kerala) about state govt.’s politics to retain control over the college and to stall it from becoming an IIEST.
Prof. P. K. Abdul Aziz is an internationally reputed research scholar and his research work includes ecology, agricultural and environmental issues. He was a sharp critic of corruption and govt. interference in day-to-day affairs of CUSAT. He suffered because of his principle. He joined Aligarh Muslim University as Vice Chancellor with effect from June 11, 2007.
According to media reports, HRD ministry is planning to introduce IIEST Bill in the coming monsoon session (July 30 to August 31) of the parliament provided state govts. agree and all issues are resolved.
Prof. P. K. Abdul Aziz
a) The first is a news item in Newindpress (login required) about Prof. P. K.Abdul Aziz resigning from the post of Vice-Chancellor of CUSAT.
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEX20070522020326&Title=Kochi&rLink=0
The article:
After Aziz, Cusat may not have full-time VC
Tuesday May 22 2007 12:24 IST
KOCHI: After P K Abdul Aziz is relieved of his charges, Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) is unlikely to have a full-time Vice-Chancellor.
With the Centre’s proposal for upgrading the varsity into an Indian Institute of Engineering, Science and Technology (IIEST) pending, the State Government is moving towards handing over the varsity to the Centre, though it is engaged in hard bargaining to make the Centre agree to certain conditions put forward by it.
According to sources, the Centre is likely to concede to certain demands put forward by the State Government, and the demand for a quota for Malayalis in the seats of IIEST is proving to be a bone of contention.
Funds have been allotted for the IIEST project in the 11th Plan, which was launched this April. But Bengal and Kerala are yet to agree to the conditions put forward by the Centre.
Once Cusat is made an IIEST, a director will come in place of the VC, who will be appointed by the President.
‘‘The Centre is not averse to having a nominee of the State Government in the three-member panel to select the director.
The State may also be given five members in the 17-member board of governors, in place of the three members proposed now.
The talks are deadlocked on the demand for a 50 percent quota for Malayali students,’’ sources said.
The Centre is waiting for a consent letter from the State Government to move legislation in Parliament in this regard in the coming monsoon session itself. Hence, the state has to move quickly on the issue.
More than Rs 520 crore is to flow into Cusat in the first five years once it is made an IIEST. If this money doesn’t come, the university is doomed, a professor at the university said.
Already, the State Government is struggling to find funds for the salary for the staff at the university. A meagre Rs 20 crore is set apart by State Government for the university, but even this is not properly granted by the cash-strapped government successive years.
According to varsity sources, around 160 teaching posts are lying vacant for the past few years in departments as the state is not in position to arrange salary for the staff.
The funds for research too brought by professors in their individual capacity from Central and other agencies.
According to sources, the government is considering giving the charge of Cusat Vice-Chancellor to Calicut University Vice-Chancellor Anwar Jahan Zuberi as Cusat Pro-Vice- Chancellor Enasu is a previous UDF Government appointee.
With the Centre’s proposal for upgrading the varsity into an IIEST pending, the State Government is moving ahead with handing over the varsity to the Centre.
b) The second press item is from New Kerala, in which Prf. Aziz raises the concern that the state govt. is preventing CUSAT from becoming an IIEST, because it does not want to give up the control over the institute.
'University syndicates should work without political interference'
http://www.newkerala.com/news5.php?action=fullnews&id=36859
The excerpts from the article:
Kochi, June 7: Outgoing Vice-Chancellor of the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) Dr P K Abdul Aziz today said varsity syndicates should not be a platform for political parties to wield power through their representatives.
Dr Aziz, who will take charge as VC of Aligarh Muslim University on June 11 said, ''Political parties are trying to influence the working of the syndicates by appointing their representatives.'' ''The syndicate should have able people as its members and there was no need to expand it to include more people,'' he noted.
Dr Aziz said the syndicates should be allowed to work independently and efficiently without any political interference.
Regarding the proposed Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), Dr Aziz alleged that 'some forces' were stalling the prospects of the institute for fear of losing power in the syndicate.
c) In this press brief, Prof. Aziz states that the state govt. is delaying upgrade of CUSAT to IIEST.
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEX20070608023513&Title=Kochi&rLink=0
The article:
'Negligence preventing upgradation of CUSAT'
Friday June 8 2007 12:56 IST
KOCHI: CUSAT Vice- Chancellor P K Abdul Azis said on Thursday that the negligence of the State Government was preventing the upgradation of Cusat into an Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST).
He was addressing a meet-the-press programme organised by Ernakulam Press Club. He said the State Government was showing no interest in submitting the letter of concurrence to the Central Government.
The MHRD grant to the tune of Rs 518 crore in that regard was being wasted as a result of the poor response from the government.
“This is the only issue troubling me as I leave Cusat”, Azis said. He has been appointed Vice- Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University.
He said that the politics played by the employees of Cusat had affected the smooth functioning of the university and almost all the unions tried to torture him several times.
“There had been a concerted effort to cast aspersions on me that included the Sreelakshmi case and the cases related to the alleged tampering with marks.
“Whenever there is a shift in the government at the state level, the working of universities usually gets affected and it is better for VCs to resign when there is a new government,” he said.
He said he was happy working at Cusat and all the academic achievements that the university received helped in capturing national attention.