Bharathidasan University gets a new V-C

V.M.Muthu Kumar, former principal, L.R.G. Government Arts College, Tirupur, has been appointed as Vice Chancellor of Bharathidasan University.

He will succeed K.Meena whose term as V-C ended in July 2013. Since then the varsity had been administered by a three-member VC officiating committee led by G.Jayachandran, Law Secretary.

The name of Muthukumar was selected from a three-member panel submitted by the search committee led by Karu.Nagarajan, Member Secretary, Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education (TANSCHE), which submitted the list to Governor K.Rosaiah on Saturday. Mr.Muthukumar will hold office for three years from the date of appointment. He is expected to assume office on Friday.

He met Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Thursday in Chennai. Earlier, he met the Governor at Raj Bhavan on Wednesday evening and got the appointment order.

A native of Vellalur in Coimbatore district, Mr.Kumar has 32 years of academic experience in various capacities. He holds master degree and Ph.D in Public Administration.

He did his schooling at Government High School in Vellalur. He is currently holding the post of the Member of Tamil Nadu Backward Class Commission.

Speaking to The Hindu over phone, Mr.Muthukumar said that it was a prestigious moment and assured to work hard for the betterment of the university.

“I will take all possible steps to improve the quality of education and research. My actions would be oriented towards achieving the goals of “Vision 2023” outlined by the Chief Minister,” he said.

The appointment has ended the one-year-old search to find a new Vice Chancellor for Bharatidasan University, one of the premier State universities. The jurisdiction of the university spreads over eight districts, including Tiruchi, Pudukottai, Nagapattinam, and Perambalur.

The appointment of the new V-C was eagerly awaited by the higher education fraternity in the State following the direction of the Madras High Court to follow all stipulated guidelines of University Grants Commission (UGC) on appointment of Vice-Chancellor.

It is to be noted that the Tamil Nadu Federation of Universities’ Faculty Associations had moved the High Court seeking direction to the government to select the Vice-Chancellor in a transparent manner.