HRD Ministry Initiates Search for New Vice-Chancellor of IGNOU

The Human Resource Development ministry is all set to start the process of appointing the next Vice-Chancellor who will take over the Indira Gandhi National Open University, popularly know as IGNOU.

Earlier the ministry had started an inquiry against Prof. M. Aslam citing various allegations of shortfalls and other irregularities in the normal functioning of the university. Moreover, as excessive actions were taken by IGNOU between October 2011 and November 2014, the chancellor was sent on a forced leave. A separate committee was set up to carry out a probe in the entire matter. The report of this committee was presented to the President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, who is also a Visitor of the university.

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However, the President has not yet given his opinion on the matter, and Professor Aslam's tenure is about to end in the next few months.

A reliable source from the university stated that IGNOU has nominated two candidates for the post of Vice-Chancellor and has forwarded the same to the HRD ministry. Prakash Javadevak, who is the minister of HRD will add a name to the recommendation list, which will further be forwarded to the President of India, for further consideration and decision in this regard.

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On the other hand, Professor Aslam had also filed a Right to Information (RTI) application in the year 2014 in which he demanded that the copy of allegations with respect to the functioning of IGNOU university be given to him. Additionally, he filed another application in the month of November 2015 seeking a copy of the committee's inquiry report which was sent to Shri Pranab Mukherjee.

Allegations against Professor M. Aslam of IGNOU:

• Discontinuation of the community college scheme that resulted in thousands of students including airmen, soldiers and sailors not getting their certificates and diplomas.
• Administrative irregularities on his part were also a prime reason.
• He was also involved in the wrongdoing with regard to the appointment of faculty members.

When Professor Aslam was forced to leave, Nageshwar Rao was initially appointed as the acting Vice-Chancellor. However, he later left, as he was further appointed as the VC of Uttarakhand Open University. Following that, Professor Ravindra Kumar, one of the senior-most faculty member and a part of the Directors board for the School of Studies, had taken over as the acting Vice Chancellor of IGNOU.