No More Caste Politics: AP Universities Finally Get Merit-Based VCs

Gone are those days where Vice Chancellors of Universities are chosen largely based on their caste, community or region. There is no secret that the VCs and other key nominated posts during previous government were anointed preferably based on caste. However, CM Chandrababu Naidu and Education Minister Nara Lokesh brought in good changes. They have given up this bad tradition of preferring VCs on their caste, region. Now, merit is the major criteria to choose VCs. This is winning hearts.

Recently, GP Rajasekhar, a professor at IIT Kharagpur has been made as the Vice Chancellor of Andhra University. CSRK Prasad, a professor at NIT Warangal, made to lead JNTU Kakinada. P Prakash Babu, a senior professor at Hyderabad University, has been nominated as the Vice Chancellor of Yogi Vemana University. Without considering caste, creed, region and religion, CM Chandrababu and Education Minister Lokesh are picking the best candidates to lead the universities. These are subsequently appointed by Chancellor, none other than the State Governor honourary Syed Abdul Nazeer.

During YS Jagan Reddy’s tenure:

• P.V.G.D. Prasad Reddy (Andhra University)

• A. Ramachandra Reddy (Yogi Vemana University)V. Srikanth Reddy

• (Sri Venkateswara University)

• K. Narasimha Reddy (Potti Sreeramulu University)

• K Hemachandra Reddy (APSCHE Chairman)

And many more— for several other nominated posts in universities and other academic positions. The universities were filled with individuals from a particular caste!

What about Chandrababu and Lokesh?

• Prof. G.P. Rajasekhar from IIT Kharagpur has been appointed as the Vice Chancellor of Andhra University.

• Prof. C.S.R.K. Prasad from NIT Warangal will lead JNTU Kakinada.

• Prof. P. Prakash Babu from Hyderabad University takes charge as the Vice Chancellor of Yogi Vemana University.

• Prof. Allam Srinivasa Rao from Delhi Technological University is now the Vice Chancellor of Vikrama Simhapuri University.

• Prof. Venkata Basava Rao from Osmania University has been appointed as the Vice Chancellor of Rayalaseema University.

• Prof. H. Sudarshan Rao, previously in charge at JNTU Anantapur, is now officially the Vice Chancellor there.

• Prof. V. Uma, who was serving as the interim Vice Chancellor of Sri Padmavathi Mahila Visvavidyalayam, has now been confirmed for the role.

• Prof. K. Ramji from Andhra University is now the Vice Chancellor of Krishna University.

• Prof. Prasanna Sree from Andhra University has been appointed as the Vice Chancellor of Adikavi Nannaya University.

Clearly, in Chandrababu Naidu’s government, a Vice Chancellor is someone chosen for their academic merit and expertise, proving that the true meaning of “Vice Chancellor” is being upheld — one who leads the educated! This is a welcome move. Educationalists and progressive people are lauding the father-son duo for their wise decisions.