Concerns raised over the proposed amendment to the Universities Act have been addressed following discussions with the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) and the necessary clarifications and amendments will be reviewed, according to the University Grants Commission (UGC).
Speaking to The Sunday Morning, UGC Chairman Senior Professor Kapila Seneviratne said that issues highlighted by FUTA included concerns over the independence of deans and heads of departments, particularly fears that the proposed amendments would allow the removal of deans without due process.
“That is not the case. If there is anyone to be removed, it will be done following a formal investigation,” Seneviratne said, dismissing allegations that unchecked powers would be vested in university authorities.
Concerns were also raised at a media conference organised by the Arts Faculty Teachers’ Association of the University of Colombo (AFTA-CU) on Wednesday (10), where Arts Faculty lecturers claimed that the bill transferred excessive administrative authority to the Senate, thereby undermining the autonomy of deans and heads of departments.
Clarifying another contentious point, Prof Seneviratne explained that in instances where a suitable candidate for the position of head of department was not available within a department, an external candidate from a relevant field may be recruited, subject to Senate approval.
He noted that although this clarification was not explicitly reflected in the English version of the bill, it had been addressed during discussions on the amendment.
The UGC Chairman further stated that certain operational clarifications may not be included in the act itself but would be issued through Government circulars once the act was passed, in order to avoid misinterpretation.
The bill to amend the Universities Act, issued on 21 November, expands eligibility for the post of dean to include senior professors, professors, associate professors, and senior lecturers (Grade I) of the relevant faculty, to be appointed by the faculty board. The act also limits appointments to a maximum of two terms for deans.
In addition, the amendment stipulates that no individual may be appointed head of the same department for more than one term, or hold the position for more than two consecutive terms.
“The aim of this amendment is to extend more opportunities to members of a faculty to become dean,” Prof. Seneviratne said.