With over 150 teaching faculty retiring in the last five years, the University of Mysore, which is planning to go for NAAC recognition in January 2020, is facing severe shortage of teachers. It had written to the government about the issue, seeking its nod for filling 312 vacant posts, including 74 backlog vacancies.
The last appointment of teachers – professors, associate professors and assistant professors – in the university was done in 2007 and thereafter a futile attempt was made in 2016 to fill vacant posts. Thousands of candidates had applied but the government put the brakes on the appointment process.
Vice-Chancellor G. Hemantha Kumar said the mandatory student-teacher ratio plays an important role for NAAC grades and the varsity’s ratio can only improve when the vacant posts get filled. “We hope that the government takes up the matter soon after the elections and once the poll code ceases,” he replied.
The V-C said the university had made arrangements for filling up backlog vacancies but stopped as the code came into force.
Fate of candidates
On the fate of candidates who had applied for the posts in 2016, Mr. Kumar said those candidates may have to apply afresh since three years had lapsed now and moreover, their resume would need revision.
On the recent promotions, he said more than 182 people in the teaching stream had been promoted complying with the guidelines.
He said efforts would be made to turn the university into a digitised varsity, incorporating necessary skills for over 600 staff. “Once the election is over, the training will commence.”