Those who have applied for three refresher courses being offered by the University Grants Commission- Human Resource Development Centre at Madurai Kamaraj are yet to receive any intimation regarding their selection though the courses start on July 10. The 21-day refresher course is offered in three subjects - Tamil, English and Economics. Forty candidates are selected for each course.
The orientation programmes and refresher courses organised by UGC-HRDCs functioning in different universities garner a lot of applications as attendance is mandatory for promotions and pay increments. Economics tops the list with 72 applications. English and Tamil have received 67 and 56 applications respectively.
Professor of English, J. Thangamariappan, who applied for the course, said that if the selection process was transparent, the list would be posted on the website or pinned up on the notice board. “Teachers from across Tamil Nadu apply for the course. Although they inform their college Principals and their Regional Joint Directors of Collegiate Education about taking ‘On Duty’ leave while applying, those who attend the course must receive approval and relieving orders from the Joint Directors to attend the programme,” says Members of the Madurai Kamaraj, Manonmaniam Sundaranar, Mother Teresa and Alagappa University Teachers' Association (MUTA) treasurer, A.T. Senthamaraikannan.
He adds that since this process takes two to three days, teachers from other districts find it difficult to attend refresher courses on the first day.
Mr. Thangamariappan says teachers should be informed at least one week in advance so that they could make appropriate travel arrangements.
Madurai Kamaraj University Registrar (in charge) R. Sudha and Director (in charge), UGC-HRDC, MKU, V. Kalaiselvan, say the letters had been dispatched already and that the process was transparent.
Ms. Sudha says they should receive their letters latest by Monday and that she will look into posting a list of those selected.