Govt mulls changes to Universities Act

Dharwad: The state government is mulling bringing amendments to the Karnataka State Universities Act, 2000 to incorporate changes in the process of appointment of vice chancellors and registrars.
Minister for higher education Basavaraj Rayaraddi told TOI here on Tuesday that the draft amendment is being prepared. He said the practice of appointing teaching faculty to the administrative posts of registrars is affecting academic activities of the varsities besides affecting the administration."I am of the opinion that registrar's posts should be held by senior KAS officers. Teachers lack training and expertise to occupy administrative posts. Moreover, there is a shortage of teachers in universities and diverting the services of teachers to non-teaching works is not desirable," he said.
There is also a need for bringing changes in the process of appointment of VCs to ensure transparency and avoid controversies. Amendments are being contemplated in this regard too, the minister said.
Traditional touch at IIT inauguration
The inauguration of the IIT Dharwad on August 28 will have a traditional touch with folk artistes welcoming the dignitaries with "dollu kunita", "hejje mela" and "karadi majalu". Chairing a meeting to review the preparations for the inaugural function, Rayaraddi instructed the officials to get folk artistes for the function. He also asked officials of the education department to get SSLC and PUC students for the function so that get inspired.
District minister Vinay Kulkarni, MLA Arvind Bellad, DC S B Bommanahalli, ZP CEO Sushma Godbole, SP Dhamendrakumar Meena, DCP Jinendra Khanagavi, IIT Dharwad dean Narayan Punekar and special hospitality officer from IIT Bombay Dabholkar were present.
Union minister for human resources development Prakash Javadekar will inaugurate IIT Dharwad at 3.30pm on Sunday. He will have a brief interaction with students of the first batch. Chief minister Siddaramaiah and Union minister for parliamentary affairs Ananthkumar will be present.