Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan turned up the heat on university vice-chancellors during a high-stakes meeting at Raj Bhavan. Delivering a series of firm instructions, he underscored the urgency of aligning university functioning with national education policies.
The discussions centered on critical areas such as financial management, syllabus updates, and student welfare programs. Khan specifically called for immediate action against irregular appointments and pushed for digital transformation in administrative processes.
‘Accountability is non-negotiable,’ the Governor reportedly stated, setting clear deadlines for compliance. He also mandated regular performance audits and enhanced industry-academia collaborations to boost employability.
This comes against the backdrop of protracted disputes over VC selections, where the Governor has frequently locked horns with the state government. His recent directives follow a pattern of assertive governance witnessed over the past year.
Stakeholders in the education sector view this as a constructive push. ‘These guidelines will inject much-needed discipline into our universities,’ opined Prof. Lakshmi Menon from Kochi.
With examinations approaching and placement seasons looming, the VCs face mounting pressure to deliver results. Governor Khan’s intervention could well mark a turning point for Kerala’s higher education ecosystem.