Recent Amendments in the University Acts

Maharashtra Universities Act, 1994 Recently, Section 12 (2) & (3) of the Maharashtra Universities Act, 1994 has been amended to provide revised composition of the Search Committee, eligibility conditions and essential qualifications, and experience and expected skills and competencies for the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor. Section 12(2): The Vice-Chancellor shall be appointed by the Chancellor in the manner stated hereunder: a) There shall be a committee consisting of the following members to recommend suitable names, for appointment of Vice-Chancellor, namely:i) a member nominated by the Chancellor, who shall be the retired Judge of the Supreme Court or retired Chief Justice of a High Court or an eminent scientist of national repute or a recipient of Padma Award in the field of education.

(ii)The Principal Secretary of Higher & Technical Education Department or any officer not below the rank of Principal Secretary to Government nominated by the State Government. (iii) The Director or Head of an institute or organization of national repute, such as, Indian Institute of Technology, Indian Institute of Science, Indian Space Research Organization or National Research Laboratory nominated by the Management Council and the Academic Council, jointly, in the manner specified by the State Government by an order published in the Official Gazette;

b)The member nominated by the Chancellor shall be the Chairman of the Committee;

Section 12(3) : The committee shall recommend a panel of not less than five suitable persons for the consideration of the Chancellor for being appointed as the Vice-Chancellor. The names shall be in alphabetical order without any preference indicated. The report shall be accompanied by a detailed write-up on suitability for each person included in the panel. (3A) A persons recommended by the Committee for appointment as a Vice-Chancellor shall,a) be an eminent academician or an administrator of high caliber; b) be able to provide leadership by his own example; c) be able to provide vision and have ability to translate the same into reality in the interest of students and society; and d) possess such education qualification and experience as may be specified by the State Government, by an Order published in the Official Gazette, in consultation with the Chancellor. (3B) The eligibility conditions and the process for recommendation of names for appointment as ViceChancellor shall be given wide publicity to ensure the recommendation of most suitable candidates.

In consultation with the Chancellor, the State Government may, by an Order published in the Official Gazette specify the eligibility conditions for being elected or nominated as a member of any authority of the university. Section 24(A)

The State Government shall cause the audited annual accounts of the university, received by it, to be laid before each House of the State Legislature. Section 103(A)

The State Government shall cause the annual report of the university, received by it, to be laid before each House of the State Legislature. Section 104 (2)

Eligibility criteria for the appointment to the post of Vice-Chancellor: No. Rajbh 2009/(71/09)/VE-2. Whereas, the Vice-Chancellor of a University is the principal academic and executive officer of the University, and is responsible for development of the academic programmes and general administration of the University for ensuring efficiency and good order of the university ; And whereas, the Vice-Chancellor is required to ensure the highest level of education and encouraging good quality research, collaborative arrangements, extension activities and appropriate technological and infrastructural resource base, etc. ; And whereas, the Vice-Chancellor is required to shape up the overall personality of the students in line with the National and Social priorities ; And whereas, having regard to the position of the Vice- Chancellor as aforesaid, it is expedient to provide a person being appointed shall possess certain qualification and experience; Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (d) sub-section (3A) of section 12 of the Maharashtra Universities Act, 1994 (Mah XXXV of 1994) ; and of all other powers enabling it in that, the Government of Maharashtra, in consultation with the Chancellor ; hereby

specifies that the person being recommended by the Committee shall possess the essential qualification and experience as set out in part A of the Scheduled appended hereto; and may possess desirable experience , expected skill and competencies as set out in Part B and part C, respectively of the said Schedule;

directs that the manner in which the application shall be submitted shall be such as set out in Part D of the said Schedule.

Schedule PART A Essential Qualification and Experience

Earned Doctorate in any discipline and good academic record. Experience in the field of Higher Education of at least 15 years in teaching and research in a university/ well-established institution of repute and/or at the undergraduate and post-graduate level.

Minimum of five research publication in peer-reviewed/referred international research journals after Ph.D and/or published quality books in a recognized discipline, referenced for study in higher education at the National/International level.

At least 5 years of administrative experience in the field of Higher Education not below the rank of Professor and Head of the Department in a university/Principal (in Professors Guide) of a Senior College/ Head of a national/ international institution of Advanced Learning.

Execution of at least one major research project. Experience of working with international bodies or international exposure through participation in workshops, seminars or conferences held outside the country.

Experience of organizing events such as workshops, seminars, conference at an international level within the country in the field of higher education.

Demonstrated experience in leadership.

PART B Desirable Experience

Experience of working on the Statutory Authorities of a university such as Board of Studies, Academic Council, Management Council or Executive Council of Board of Management , Senate etc.;

Demonstrable experience of handling Quality issues, assessment and accreditation procedures, etc.; Experience to guide Ph.D students ; Experience at the State or national or international level in handling youth development work such as

organizing student-centric activities for their all-round development and for providing them rich campus life as envisaged in the Maharashtra Universities Act.

PART C Expected Skills and Competencies

Technical Skills 1. Openness towards technology and a deep conviction regarding its potential applications in a knowled-based settings; 2. Reasonably high level of comfort in the use of technology ;

Managerial Skills 1. Ability to anticipate issues and problems and prepare advance strategic plans; 2. Ability to generate resources and allocate the same appropriately ; 3. Capacity to work effectively under pressure and manage work and resources within tight deadlines; 4. Good understanding of financial management including revenue generation, planning and fiscal control;

Alignment with corporate objectives and State as well as National level priorities 1. Ability to identify the needs of the communities in key sectors; 2. Deep understanding of the challenges before the National and how Higher Education can respond to developmental needs ; 3. Demonstrable understanding f curriculum development issues, especially those relating to widening participation and social inclusion ;

Leadership skills 1. Exceptional ability to motivate a divers group of stakeholders ; 2. Keen desire to further the mission and goals of the organization; 3. Ability to think strategically and innovatively and maintain a broad perspective;

4. Ability to lead by personal example with openness to new ideas and a consultative approach in implementation of the same

Interpersonal communication and collaborative skills1. Demonstrable success in developing and executing National and International collaborative arrangements; 2. Ability to interact effectively and persuasively with a strong knowledge-base at senior levels and in large forums as well as on a one-to-one basis; 3. Evidence of being an active member of professional bodies and associations in pertinent fields.

PART D Procedure for the Search Committee for considering prospective candidates

The Search Committee may identify on its own or on recommendations of eminent academicians the prospective candidates.

Apart from this, the Search Committee may also consider applications received by it. The prospective candidates/applicants must provide a detailed chronological Resume that reflects their qualification, experience and achievements. Additionally, they should provide a summary description of fulfilling the essential requirements and justifying their competency for the position of Vice-Chancellor in the context of the specific skills and competencies listed herein to facilitate the Search Committee to judge competency/suitability of the candidate.

The Search Committee may relax any condition incase of deserving candidate.

By order and in the name of the Governor of Maharashtra

J.S.Saharia, Principal Secretary to the Government