SRINAGAR: Authorities of the Islamic University of Science and Technology have been accused of playing foul in the selection process of contractual faculty for various departments.
They have denied the allegations.
The university held the interview for the posts of assistant professor (contractual) on March 23 and 25.
Candidates, who were not selected, say the selection panelists flouted norms laid down by the University Grants Commission (UGC) which make it necessary for a candidate to have “NET or a similar test accredited by the UGC like SLET/SET” for the post of assistant professors.
They say the selection list “reeked” of favouritism.
“There were candidates who had qualified PhD, Mphil and NET (National Eligibility Test) and also had much more experience in their fields than others.”
“But among those who are selected there are many who had not even qualified NET and had low percentage in the test than others,” said a disappointed candidate who had applied for the post in Mass Communication and Journalism subject.
The IUST has dismissed the accusations.
“It is natural that those who are not selected make such accusation. But the fact is that we have been very trabsparent in our selection process, the panel for which includes experts from outside,” Vice Chancellor of IUST, Abdul Rashid Trag told freepresskashmir.
When asked whether UGC norms were violated to give undue preference to some, Trag said: “The selection was for temporary faculty members, not a permanent faculty where UGC norms have to be followed. Our aim is to find the best teachers.
“In the case of contractuals we can take the liberty of selecting a candidate on basis of his teaching skills, communication levels and experience rather than his or her NET qualification.”
The candidates have accused the IUST selection panel of having selected “own candidates” much before posts were actually advertised.
“During the interview, registrar and HOD journalism told me that they will definitely prefer their own candidates,” said one who had applied for the post in journalism.
“If they had already made up their mind that they will not take any other candidate then what was the fun of calling for advertisements.”
