Private dental college principal named acting VC of RGUHS, Health Minister opposes decision
Bengaluru: The ongoing controversy over the recent appointment of the Principal of a private dental college as an interim Vice Chancellor of (VC) of prestigious Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) has flabbergasted the Medical Education Minister, K Sudhakar himself, who stated that only a person with eminence, excellent reputation and track record should be appointed VC.
Controversy erupted after Dr. Jayakara SM, Principal, AECS Maruthi College of Dental Sciences was named for taking charge as the interim VC of prestigious RGUHS from June 15 till a full time VC is appointed or until further orders.
The decision to appoint Jayakara as the acting vice-chancellor of RGUHS was announced through a notification dated June 11 by Governor Vajubhai Vala's secretariat.
This is the first time in the history of RGUHS that a principal of a private college has been assigned the position of VC, though as an interim position. However, the decision has not gone down well with the Professors and Deans of some of the Government Medical Colleges as Jayakara been reportedly accused of granting permission to dental colleges to teach postgraduate courses in lieu of bribes. In 2013, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had raided Dr Jayakara's house when he was an executive member of the Dental Council of India.
Speaking at the valedictory of the silver jubilee celebrations of RGUHS, Sudhakar stated that RGUHS is one of India's largest and most prestigious health sciences universities, and our government is very clear that a person with eminence, excellent reputation and track record should be appointed vice-chancellor.
"Jayakara has allegations of corruption against him and should not hold administrative posts in educational institutions without getting a clean chit. As the pro-chancellor of RGUHS, I have written to the Governor about the matter. I did not get an appointment to meet him due to the ongoing Covid crisis and will talk to him on phone," Sudhakar, who also asked why the dean of a private institution has been made the acting vice-chancellor of RGUHS told The Indian Express.
"Any person leading such a university should have credibility that is beyond doubt. No person with poor track record or allegations can occupy that chair, at least as long as I am the minister," Sudhakar was quoted as saying by The New Indian Express.
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