SUCC seeks Kerala governor’s intervention over KSCSTE executive VP appointment

T'puram: Save University Campaign Committee (SUCC) has sought governor Rajendra Arlekar's intervention against the appointment of Digital University vice-chancellor (VC) Saji Gopinath as the interim executive vice-president of Kerala State Council for Science Technology and Environment (KSCSTE). Following protests, govt had earlier postponed an interview schedule for the selection of the new executive VP. In its petition, SUCC urged the governor to take disciplinary action against Gopinath for allegedly taking over the executive VP post as additional responsibility, without prior approval from chancellor. Since chancellor is the appointing authority, VC was supposed to obtain prior permission from him before taking up the additional charge, SUCC said. "Only those with expertise in science or technology can be appointed as executive VP. Saji Gopinath, a management professor at IIM Kozhikode, is not a scientist, making him ineligible for this position. His appointment is against the rules. Moreover, the govt had taken disciplinary action against Ciza Thomas for assuming additional responsibilities as the interim VC of KTU without govt approval, while serving as the joint director of state technical education. The same govt has now given the additional charge of KSCSTE to Gopinath without the approval of the governor," SUCC said.