UGC Should No Longer Delay An Inquiry Into Jaffna Uni Issues: JUSTA
The Jaffna University Science Teachers Association (JUSTA) has called upon the University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman to desist from delaying the holding of an impartial inquiry into the issues within the University any longer, if the establishment is to serve its academic purpose.
SB – Minister Higher Education
Releasing a statement in response to the letter sent by Jaffna University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Professor Vasanthy Arasaratnam to the Higher Education Ministry Secretary concerning the issues highlighted by JUSTA in their report titled ‘Discriminating against Excellence’, the academics have pointed out that the VC has only engaged in a clever word-play to reject the allegations that have been leveled at the university administration particularly concerning rampant favoritism in awarding appointments.
The JUSTA report titled ‘Discriminating against excellence’, the academics noted ‘blatant and endemic’ abuse across several university departments and units in the selection of academic and non-academic staff.
Prof Arasaratnam however has rejected the allegations stating they have always selected the most suitable candidates for each position by evaluating them with an objective marking scheme and by following procedure recommended by the UGC.
But JUSTA has pointed out that the UGC circular 935 that the VC has repeatedly referred to, in her response to the Secretary, has in fact been subverted to advance blatant favoritism.
“We urge an inquiry into our charges as promised by the UGC Chairman and it should no longer be delayed,” the academics have remarked while adding they are prepared to lead evidence at an impartial inquiry.
