Kerala University VC Seeks Governor’s Guidance On Participation In Convention Against UGC Draft Rules – News18

Last Updated:February 19, 2025, 10:06 IST

Kerala University VC has sought the Governor’s guidance on participating in a convention against UGC draft rules, calling it “unheard of” in state history.

Kerala University Vice-Chancellor Dr Mohanan Kunnummal has written to the Kerala Governor seeking guidance on whether to participate in the national convention called by the Kerala Higher Education Department against the UGC’s draft guidelines.

The national convention, scheduled to be held in Thiruvananthapuram on 20 February, will see the participation of ministers from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, and Telangana.

In his letter to the Governor, who is also the Chancellor, the Kerala University VC stated, “This is unheard of in the history of the state. A Government Secretary of Education is directing universities in Kerala to participate in a protest against the UGC, the apex body for education in the country.”

He further mentioned that the Higher Education Minister had earlier written to vice-chancellors, asking them to participate in a discussion during a convention on Higher Education and the impact of the UGC’s draft regulations. However, there was no indication that it was intended as a protest meeting.

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The letter added, “Now it is evident that the convention is against the apex body on higher education, namely the UGC. Hence, we humbly request Your Excellency to provide us with guidance during this difficult situation.”

The VC also pointed out that the Principal Secretary of Higher Education had directed all universities in Kerala to send teachers, research scholars, and students to participate in the convention against the Draft UGC Regulations 2025. Kerala University alone has been asked to provide 400 participants, with the expenses to be borne by the university.