The last date for receiving applications for the post of Vice-Chancellor (VC) at Calicut University has expired, though the senate is expected to meet again on December 18 to select its candidate for the cum search selection committee.
According to sources, the office of Governor and Chancellor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has at least eight applications from the University of Calicut alone. The last date for receiving applications was December 5.
The senate had earlier elected Dharmaraj Adat, former VC, Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, as its candidate for the August 23 search committee. However, he refused to take the job. The Senate met again on September 11, but failed to reach a consensus. On 30 October, it proposed the name of A. Sabu, Member Secretary, Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment, as its candidate. Mr. Arlekar subsequently formed a search committee, but Mr. Sabu also expressed his reluctance to be part of it. Meanwhile, the chancellor has issued a notification inviting applications for the post of VC.
At the same time, the government approached the Kerala High Court to take notice of Mr. Saba’s resignation, pointing out that the chancellor’s nominee was unfit to hold office. The chancellor subsequently appointed another person and issued the notice again. The court has now asked the university senate to select its nominee within 30 days and seek its approval. It is not yet clear whether the candidate chosen by the senate will be willing to be a member of the commission.
Published – 06 Dec 2025 20:01 IST
