JIPMER Faculty Association continue protests against Director's Tenure extension

Puducherry: In a recent development, the JIPMER Faculty Association (JFA) has commenced a “non-cooperative movement” against the extension of the tenure of the institute's Director. 

In addition to holding the movement, the association has also decided to conduct regular protests within the campus until the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare terminates the director's extended tenure.

As per The Hindu news report, the faculty association earlier informed that they will launch protests until an eligible faculty member gets appointed as an interim Director until a new Director takes charge.

Also read- JIPMER Director's Tenure Extended, Faculty Association To Protest Against Decision

This comes in the backdrop of the faculty association raising the matter to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and the Union Health Ministry through a six-page letter as reported by the Medical Dialogues team a few days ago. 

The JIPMER Faculty Association (JFA) has demanded the annulment of the director, who has been given a one-year tenure extension. The association alleged that during the five-year term of the current director, there was inefficient administration and misguided leadership. This allegedly led to numerous problems for the employees and the public. 

The association has pointed out that the current director completed his five-year tenure by the end of December 2023. Even though the interview for the new Director was held a long time ago, the selection process could not be concluded.

It has been alleged by the association that instead of selecting the senior-most professor in the institute as the interim Director, the tenure of the incumbent was extended for one year. This was done while overlooking the availability of the senior faculty members capable and efficient to take over the responsibility.

The association has also demanded the removal of the age limit of 55 years for the posts of Deans and Medical Superintendent and the introduction of the number of years of experience as an eligibility criterion. It has been opined by the association that any medical faculty having the designation of professor and having continuous, regular service experience at the institute for more than 15 years should be considered.

Further, the association also urged the authorities to frame regulations for eligibility and selection of Associate Deans (Research/Academic) and put a limit to the tenure to three years.

Also read- JIPMER Calls For Abstracts From Students, Residents, Research Scholars, Details