Assembly passes University Laws (Amendment) Bill

The Assembly on Thursday passed the University Laws Bill, 2022 which alters the composition of the search-cum-selection committee to appoint Vice Chancellors and effectively provide the State government greater leverage in the process. The government had initially proposed the inclusion of the vice chairman of the Kerala State Higher Education Council as convener of the committee. But, Higher Education Minister R. Bindu moved an official amendment to bring an academic expert who is nominated by the council vice chairman as replacement to the particular position. Even while reiterating that the legislation would not curtail the Chancellor’s powers, Dr. Bindu said universities could not completely disassociate themselves with State governments.