||Black and White Digital News ||

||Parvinder Singh August 16,2024 ||

JAMMU: The Recent appointment of Anju Sharma as the Director of the Directorate of Hindi at Jammu University (JU) without appearing before the Selection Committee has sparked widespread concerns over the transparency and integrity of the university’s administrative processes. This incident has raised broader questions about governance within the university, especially regarding faculty appointments, class attendance, and overall management.

Appointment Without Selection Committee Appearance:

Anju Sharma, who had applied for the position of Professor in the Directorate of Hindi, was appointed as the Director despite not appearing before the Selection Committee. This decision has drawn criticism for bypassing the standard procedures that are typically mandated in such appointments. The absence of an interview or scrutiny by a Search Committee highlights potential flaws in the recruitment process, raising doubts about the fairness and legitimacy of this appointment.

Student Allegations:

On the condition of anonymity, several students have expressed their dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs at JU. They allege that many professors are not regularly attending classes and often fail to arrive on time, leading to disruptions in the academic schedule. The lack of bio-metric attendance, which is generally used to ensure accountability, further exacerbates the situation, allowing faculty members to neglect their teaching responsibilities with little to no repercussions.

Concerns About Departmental Autonomy:

Reports suggest that Heads of Departments (HODs) are operating their departments with minimal oversight, often according to their own discretion rather than following standardized university policies. This autonomy, while potentially beneficial in some contexts, appears to have led to a lack of consistency and accountability, which in turn affects the quality of education and administration.

ISO Certification and Auditing Issues:

The university’s ISO certification, a standard meant to ensure quality management systems, has come under scrutiny. There are growing suspicions that the certification process may have been manipulated, casting doubt on the university’s commitment to maintaining high standards. Furthermore, the absence of rigorous audits from the University Grants Commission (UGC) has allowed these potential lapses in quality to go unchecked. The lack of monitoring by external agencies has created an environment where questionable practices can flourish.

Screening Committees and Alleged Favoritism:

Concerns have also been raised about the formation of screening committees, which some allege are being used to favor certain individuals for appointments, thereby undermining the merit-based selection process. These committees are perceived as mechanisms to adjust “blue-eyed” candidates, leading to skepticism about the integrity of the recruitment process across various departments.

Administrative Stagnation:

In the Vice Chancellor’s office, certain officers have reportedly been occupying the same positions for over five years, raising concerns about stagnation and the potential for entrenched power dynamics. This situation calls for a reassessment of administrative roles to ensure that fresh perspectives and practices are brought into the management of the university.

Impending Revelations and Need for Oversight:

There are hints that more revelations regarding irregularities in paper checking and result management could emerge in the coming days, pointing to systemic issues within JU’s academic and administrative framework. These concerns underline the urgent need for external agencies to conduct thorough investigations and audits to address the alleged malpractices and restore confidence in the university’s governance.

The situation at Jammu University is becoming increasingly alarming, with serious allegations of mismanagement, favoritism, and lack of accountability. The recent appointment of Anju Sharma as Director without the due process is just one of many issues plaguing the institution. To safeguard the future of the university and its students, it is imperative that comprehensive reforms are implemented, starting with independent audits and stricter oversight of university operations. Only through such measures can JU regain its reputation and ensure that it fulfills its educational mission with integrity and excellence.