Dr MGR Medical University: Hunt for Vice Chancellor picks momentum

Chennai: The competition for the post of Vice-Chancellor at the reputed Dr MGR Medical University has increased here on.

Out of the 41 candidates, who had applied for the top post, 3 shortlisted by the search committee were recently interviewed by the Governor Banwarilal Purohit.

The three candidates have vast experience in their respective fields. One of the candidates was a former Dean of a medical college with publications in high-impact medical journals. The other two have experience of working in government hospitals as heads of departments for several years.

The Ex-VC, Dr Mayilvahanan Natarajan will also be considered by the concerned authorities on the orders of the State High Court. The former VC moved the court for a direction to the government to include past vice-chancellors of medical universities under the qualification prescribed under the clause (ii) of sub-section (2A) of section 10 of the Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University, Act 1987.

TOI reports that the vacation bench of Justice S Vaidyanathan and Justice P T Asha, which disposed of the ex-VC's appeal, stated,

"The case of the appellant has to be considered on par with others and it is for the authorities concerned to take a decision on merits and in accordance with law."

Selection process:

41 candidates including retired Professors, Deans and Directors of Medical Education, Senior Professors in government and private colleges below 70 years of age had applied for the 10th VC post. 10 were shortlisted for the final interview.

During a face-to-face interview before the three-member selection committee, they were asked to make a 20-minute presentation on their vision for the university as to what they wished to do if they get selected as the head of the medical institution. The presentation was followed by a detailed discussion that lasted for another 20 minutes. The session was videotaped, one of the candidates told TOI.

MGR Medical University runs 22 government medical colleges, as many self-financing colleges and several other dental and paramedical institutions.

The interviews were held on 28th December and soon the medical university will get its 10th Vice-Chancellor.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported about the Gazette which was issued by the Tamil Nadu Health and Family Welfare regarding the educational qualifications and experience required for the post of VC under the Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University, Chennai (Amendment) Act, 2018.

For more details, Read Also: Minimum qualification requirements for VC Dr MGR Medical University Post specified: TN Gazette