Wed Jan 01 09:30:11 UTC 2025: ## Anna University Sexual Assault Highlights Systemic Issues in Tamil Nadu Higher Education
**Chennai, January 1, 2025** – The recent sexual assault of a student at Anna University’s Chennai campus has exposed deeper problems within the Tamil Nadu higher education system, according to former Vice Chancellor Prof. E. Balagurusamy. He attributes the incident to “anarchy” stemming from ongoing conflicts between the state government and the Governor over the appointment of Vice Chancellors (VCs).
Prof. Balagurusamy issued a statement urging the Governor-Chancellor and the Higher Education Minister to cooperate to resolve the crisis. He highlighted that disagreements over the composition of search panels for VC selections have left numerous universities without leadership for over two years, with almost all expected to be headless within months. This leadership vacuum, coupled with vacancies in key administrative positions like registrar and finance officer, has severely hampered university operations, leading to widespread chaos.
The lack of VCs has also resulted in delayed convocations and degree certificates signed by bureaucrats, diminishing their value. Prof. Balagurusamy cited conflicting Supreme Court judgments on VC appointments as further evidence of the systemic issues. He argued that while the inclusion of UGC nominees in search committees is desirable to minimize political influence, it cannot be imposed arbitrarily without amending university acts.
He proposed a temporary solution: until the Acts are amended, the Governor should accept existing appointment procedures to expedite the selection of VCs and alleviate the suffering of students. The former VC stressed the urgency of addressing the stalemate to prevent further harm to students and the quality of education.
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