Chapter 3 CHANCELLOR, PRO-CHANCELLOR AND OTHER OFFICERS OF THE UNIVERSITY

Chancellor.—

1. (1) The Governor of Kerala shall, by virtue of his Office, be the Chancellor of the University.
2. (2) The Chancellor shall be the Head of the University and shall, when present, preside over the meetings of the General Council and the convocation of the University.
3. (3) No honorary degree or distinctions shall be conferred by the University upon any person without the approval of the Chancellor.
4. (4) Without prejudice to the foregoing provisions of this section, the Chancellor may, by order in writing, annul any proceedings of the University which is not in conformity with this Act or the Statutes or the Regulations: Provided that before making any such order, the Chancellor shall call upon the University to show cause why such an order should not be made.
5. (5) The Chancellor shall have the power to remove the Vice-Chancellor or any other officers of the University in the event of malfeasance. In exercising such power of removal, the Chancellor shall form his opinion based on the recommendation of the Government, which in turn shall be based on due inquiry against the person, who is proposed to be removed.
6. (6) The Chancellor shall also exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as may be conferred upon or vested with the Chancellor by or under this Act or the Statutes.

Pro-Chancellor.—

1. (1) The Minister in-charge of Electronics and Information Technology Department of the State shall, by virtue of his office, be the Pro-Chancellor of the University.
2. (2) In the absence of the Chancellor or during his inability to act, the Pro-Chancellor shall exercise all the powers and perform all the functions of the Chancellor including presiding over the convocation of the University.
3. (3) The Pro-Chancellor shall also exercise such powers and perform such functions of the Chancellor as the Chancellor may, by order in writing, delegate to the Pro-Chancellor and such delegation may be subject to such restrictions and conditions as may be specified in such order.

Officers of the University.—The following shall be the officers of the University, namely:—

1. (i) the Vice-Chancellor;
2. (ii) the Deans;
3. (iii) the Registrar;
4. (iv) the Controller of Examinations; and
5. (v) such other officers including non-teaching and support staff in the service of the University, as may be prescribed by the Statutes.

The Vice-Chancellor.—

1. (1) The Vice-Chancellor shall be a scholar of eminence in the area of Technology or Science or Engineering or Management and having administrative experience in an institution of higher learning. He shall be a person having a minimum of ten years of experience as Professor in a University or experience of equivalent position in a reputed research or academic or administrative organisation.
2. (2) The Vice-Chancellor shall be the principal academic and the chief executive officer of the University and shall exercise supervision and control over the affairs of the University by or under this Act.
3. (3) The Vice-Chancellor shall be appointed by the Chancellor on the recommendation of the Search-cum-Selection Committee appointed by him, consisting of the following members, namely:—
   • (a) Chief Secretary to State, he shall be the Convener of the committee;
   • (b) one expert member from Electronics and Information Technology Industry;
   • (c) one expert member from Academia selected by the Board of Governors;
   • (d) one nominee of the University Grants Commission; and
   • (e) one nominee of the State Government.
4. (4) The process of preparing the panel shall begin atleast three months before the probable date of occurrence of the vacancy of the Vice-Chancellor and shall be completed within the time-limit fixed by the Chancellor. The Chancellor, may however extend such time-limit, if, in the exigency of the circumstances, it is necessary to do so. However, the process of preparation of the panel shall be completed within a period of three months, including the period so extended. In case the search-cum-selection committee fails to make a unanimous recommendation as provided, each member of the committee may submit the name of one person each to the Chancellor. The non-submission of the name by any member of the Committee shall not invalidate the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor.
5. (5) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or the regulations, the first Vice-Chancellor shall be appointed by the Chancellor on the recommendation of the Government on such terms and conditions as may be specified.
6. (6) No person who is more than sixty one years of age shall be appointed as Vice-Chancellor and after the appointment, he shall, subject to the terms and conditions of his appointment, hold office for a period of four years from the date on which he enters upon his office or till he attains the age of sixty five years, whichever is earlier.
7. (7) The Vice-Chancellor may, if he is of opinion that immediate action is necessary on any matter, exercise any power conferred on any authority of the University by or under this Act and shall report the authority concerned, the action taken by him on such matter, for ratification: Provided that any person in the service of the University who is aggrieved by the action taken by the Vice-Chancellor under this sub-section, shall have the right to appeal against such action to the Chancellor within ninety days from the date on which such action is communicated to him and thereupon the Chancellor may confirm or reverse or modify the action taken by the Vice-Chancellor.
8. (8) The Vice-Chancellor shall exercise such other powers and perform such other functions as may be prescribed by the Statutes and the Regulations.
9. (9) The Chancellor shall have the power to remove the Vice-Chancellor, from his office, on the satisfaction of the Chancellor, by an order in writing on charges of misappropriation of fund of the University and misconduct: Provided that, such charges are proved by an enquiry conducted by a person who is or has been a judge of the High Court appointed by the Chancellor for the purpose: Provided further that the Vice-Chancellor, shall not be removed under this section unless he has been given a reasonable opportunity of showing cause against the action proposed to be taken against him.
10. (10) In the event that a temporary vacancy occurs in the post of Vice- Chancellor due to any unforeseen or casual reason or if the Vice-Chancellor has to be temporarily abstained himself from the said position, the Chancellor may appoint the Vice-Chancellor of any other University or the Secretary of Electronics and Information Technology Department, as recommended by the Government, to be the Vice-Chancellor, for a period of not exceeding six months, in the aggregate.
11. (11) Where any matter is required to be regulated by Statutes or Regulations but no Statutes or Regulations have been made in that behalf,the Vice-Chancellor shall, for the time-being, regulate the matter by issuing such directions as he thinks necessary, and shall, as soon as may be, submit them before the Board of Governors or other authority or the body concerned for approval.

The Deans.—The number of Deans shall be determined by the Board of Governors. Every Dean shall be appointed by the Board of Governors from the Professors based on seniority for a maximum period of three years. A person who completes his tenure as Dean may be re-appointed as Dean only if all other Professors of the University had occupied the position already and/or the Board of Governors had taken a decision on re-appointment in an exceptional case.

The Registrar The Registrar.—(1) The Registrar shall be appointed in such manner, on such terms and conditions of service and shall exercise such powers and perform such functions, as may be prescribed by the Statutes.

1. (2) The Registrar as empowered by the Board of Governors shall have the power to enter into and sign agreements and authenticate records on behalf of the University.

The Controller of Examinations.—(1) The Controller of Examinations shall be the principal officer-in-charge of the conduct of examinations and tests of the University and declaration of their results and shall discharge the functions under the superintendence, direction and guidance of the Vice-Chancellor.

1. (2) The Controller of Examinations shall be appointed in such manner, on such terms and conditions of service and shall exercise such powers and perform such functions, as may be prescribed, by the Statutes.

Other Officers.—The manner of appointment, emoluments, powers and duties of the other officers of the University shall be such as may be prescribed, by the Statutes.