Chapter III AUTHORITIES OF THE UNIVERSITY

Authorities of the University - The following shall be the authorities of the University, namely:-

1. (i) The Senate;
2. (ii) The University Governing Council ;
3. (iii) The Academic Council;
4. (iv) The Research Council;
5. (v) The School Governing Councils;
6. (vi) The Department Governing Councils;
7. (vii) The Faculties; and

Amendment of section 9 Amendment of section 9.-In section 9 of the principal Act, for the words, letters and brackets, “

1. (v) School Governing Councils;
2. (vi) Departmental Governing Councils;
3. (vii) faculties; and,” the words,letters , brackets and symbols “(v) Extension Council;
4. (vi) Faculty Board of Studies; and” shall be substituted.

Amendment of section 10.- In sub-section

1. (1) of section 10 of the principal Act,—
2. (1) under the sub-heading “1.Ex-officio members:
   • (i) in item (vi), for the words and symbol "the Secretary to Government, Fisheries Department", the words and symbols, "Secretary to Government, Fisheries Department or an officer not below the rank of Joint Secretary, Fisheries Department, nominated by him" shall be substituted;
   • (ii) in item (vii), for the words "not below the rank" the words "not below the rank" shall be substituted;
   • (iii) in item (viii), for the words "not below the rank" the words "not below the rank" shall be substituted ;
   • (iv) for item
   • (ix) for the words "not below the rank" the words "not below the rank" shall be substituted;
   • (v) for item (x), after the words "Director of Fisheries" the words “or an officer not below the rank of Joint Director of Fisheries, nominated by him" shall be inserted;
   • (vi) after item (x), the following items shall be inserted, namely:— “(xi) Dean of all Faculties of the University;
   • (xii) the Registrar”.
3. (2) In “2. Nominated Members:” the existing items (i),
   • (ii) and
   • (iii) shall be omitted.
4. (3) in item
   • (iii) of “3. Elected Members”, the word and symbol “, Schools” shall be omitted.
5. (4) after sub-section (7), the following sub-section shall be inserted, namely:— “(8) The members of the Governing Council of the University shall naturally be the members of the Senate as well. The members of the Governing Council shall be involved in determining the quorum of the Senate and voting.”.

The University Governing Council - The Governing Council shall be the chief executive body of the University and shall consist of the following members,namely:-

1. Ex-officio Members

1. (i) The Vice Chancellor ;
2. (ii) Pro-Vice Chancellor ;
3. (iii) Secretary to Government, Fisheries Department , Government of Kerala.
4. (iv) Secretary to Government , Higher Education Department , Government of Kerala;
5. (v) Secretary to Government , Finance Department , Government of Kerala;
6. (vi) Law Secretary or Joint Secretary nominated by the Law Secretary;
7. (vii) two Deans of the faculties;
8. (viii) two Directors of Schools of the University by rotation by alphabetical order for every two years; and
9. (ix) the Vice President of Kerala State Council for Science and Technology and Environment. 2. Elected Members
10. (i) three members elected by the teachers of the University other than Directors of the Schools from among themselves according to the principle of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote, of whom one shall be a woman;
11. (ii) one member elected from among the regular students of the School, Departments and University in such manner as may be prescribed. 3. Nominated Members
12. (i) two members of the Legislative Assembly as nominated by the Government ;
13. (ii) An expert in Fisheries nominated by Indian Council of Agriculture Research;
14. (iii) A representative of the fishermen community with knowledge in the field of Fisheries or Ocean Studies nominated by the Government ;
15. (iv) A Scientist of eminence in Ocean Studies nominated by the Ministry of Earth Studies;
16. (v) A representative of fish farmers nominated by the Government ;
17. (vi) A representative from the registered fishermen unions nominated by the Government ;
18. (vii) A representative of the Fisheries industry nominated by the Government ;

Reconstitution of the University Governing Council Reconstitution of the University Governing Council :-

1. (1) The University Governing Council shall be reconstituted every four years.
2. (2) Every member of the University Governing Council other than an ex-officio member shall, subject to the provisions of this Act and the Statutes made thereunder, hold office until the next reconstitution of the University Governing Council unless otherwise specified herein: Provided that no member nominated or elected in his capacity as a member of a particular body or as the holder of a particular office shall hold office for a longer period than three months after he has ceased to be such member of that body or the holder of that office: Provided further that where an elected or nominated member of the University Governing Council is appointed temporarily to any office, by virtue of which he is entitled to be an ex-officio member of the University Governing Council , he shall continue to be such elected or nominated member, as the case may be.
3. (3) When a person ceases to be a member of the University Governing Council, he shall cease to be a member of any of the Authorities of the University of which he may happen to be a member by virtue of his membership of the University Governing Council .

Powers and functions of the University Governing Council -

1. (1) The University Governing Council shall be the supreme authority of the University and shall have the power to review the actions of the Academic Council and the School Governing Council save where the Academic Council or School Governing Council has acted in accordance with the powers conferred upon it under this Act, the Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations made there under and shall exercise all the powers of the University not otherwise provided for by this Act: Provided that if any question arises as to whether the Academic Council or School Governing Council has acted in accordance with such powers as aforesaid or not, the question shall be decided by the Chancellor and his decision shall be final.
2. (2) Save as otherwise expressly provided in this Act, the University Governing Council shall have the following powers, namely:-
   • (a) to make, amend or repeal Statues on its own motion for the consideration of the Chancellor for his assent;
   • (b) to amend or cancel any Ordinance or Regulation passed by the Academic Council;
   • (c) to review, if necessary, any academic or administrative decision taken by the School Governing Council or Department Governing Council ;
   • (d) to approve institutions of fellowships, scholarships, studentships, bursaries, medals and prizes and organize exhibitions in accordance with the provisions of this Act, Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations made thereunder;
   • (e) to institute Professorships, Associate Professorships and Assistant Professorships and such other teaching or research posts as it may deem necessary;
   • (f) to establish and maintain such institutions as it may, from time to time, deem necessary;
   • (g) to prescribe the terms and conditions of service of the employees of the University;
   • (h) to fix the emoluments and prescribe the duties and conditions of service of teachers;
     • (i) to review and take such action as it may deem fit on the annual report and the annual accounts of the University which shall be placed before it and to consider and pass the budget according to the provisions of the Statutes;
   • (j) to cancel any degree, diploma, title or any other distinction granted to any person in accordance with the provisions of the Statutes and to withhold or cancel the results of any candidate at any University examinations;
   • (k) to appoint committees and to delegate to them such functions of the University Governing Council as it may deem fit;
   • (l) to make Statutes regulating the method of election to the Authorities of the University, the procedure to be followed at the meetings of the University Governing Council, Academic Council and other Authorities of the University and quorum of members required for the transaction of business by the Authorities of the University.
   • (m) to establish linkage with other Universities in India and abroad in such manner and for such purposes as it may determine;
   • (n) to hold, control and administer the properties and funds of the University;
   • (o) to direct the form, custody and use of the common seal of the University;
   • (p) to arrange for and direct the inspection of schools, hostels and other institutions;
   • (q) to establish, maintain and mange such schools and centres of research and other institutions of higher learning as it may deem necessary from time to time;
   • (r) to appoint teachers and other employees of the University and prescribe their duties; to create administrative, ministerial and other necessary posts;
   • (t) to suspend discharge, dismiss or otherwise take any disciplinary action against the teachers and other employees of the University after giving them reasonable opportunity to defend their position;
   • (u) to exercise supervision and control over the residence and discipline of students;
     • (v) to consider the financial estimates of the University in accordance with the provisions of the Statutes made in this behalf;
   • (w) to oversee the conduct of University examinations and approve and publish the results thereof;
     • (x) to fix the remuneration of examiners, the panel of which is approved by the School Governing Council;
   • (y) to delegate any of its powers to the Vice-Chancellor or to a committee appointed from among its members; and
   • (z) Power for considering schemes aimed to the academic progress of the University;
   • (aa) to exercise such other powers and perform such other functions as may be empowered by this Act and the Statutes.

Meetings of the University Governing Council –

1. (1) The University Governing Council shall meet at least once in a month on dates to be fixed by the Vice-Chancellor after giving due notice to all members.
2. (2) More than half of the total number of members of the University Governing Council shall be the quorum for a meeting of the Council; Provided that such quorum shall not be required for convocation of the University or a meeting of the University Governing Council held for the purpose of conferring degrees, titles or other distinctions.
3. (3) When a special meeting is convened by the Vice-Chancellor, no subject other than that is shown in the requisition shall be considered at the meeting.

Term of office of members of University Governing Council –

1. (1) An elected or nominated member of the University Governing Council shall cease to hold office on the day immediately preceding the date of reconstitution of the University Governing Council which elected or nominated him.
2. (2) The members of the University Governing Council, other than the elected or nominated members who have ceased to hold office by virtue of the provisions of sub-section
3. (1) shall be competent to exercise the powers and perform the functions of the University Governing Council under this Act and Statutes, Ordinance and Regulations made thereunder.
4. (3) The quorum other than those who have ceased to hold office by virtue of the provisions of sub-section
5. (1) for any meeting of the University Governing Council shall be more than half of the remaining members.

Constitution of the Academic Council –

1. (1) The Academic Council shall consists of the following members, namely:-
   • (i) the Vice-Chancellor, Chairperson;
   • (ii) the Directors of all Schools;
   • (iii) the Director of Research
   • (iv) the Director of Extension
   • (v) the Director of Fisheries, Government of Kerala or representative not below the rank of his Additional Director;
   • (vi) the Director of CMFRI or representative not below the rank of his Principal Scientist;
   • (vii) the Director of CIFT or representative not below the rank of his Principal Scientist;
   • (viii) the Director of CMLRE or representative not below the rank of the Principal Scientist;
   • (ix) the Director of NIO or representative not below the rank of his Principal Scientist;
   • (x) five Heads of Departments of the University elected from among themselves;
   • (xi) One faculty member of each school elected from among themselves;
   • (xii) two members elected from among the Postgraduate students of the University; and
   • (xiii) One faculty member/scientist from each Local Administration Centres/Regional Centre nominated by Vice Chancellor.
2. (2) The Academic Council shall meet at least once in three months.
3. (3) One-third of the total number of members of the Academic Council shall form the quorum of a meeting of the council.
4. (4) the tenure of the Academic Council shall be such as may be prescribed by the Statute.

Powers, functions and duties of the Academic Council –

1. (1) The Academic Council shall, subject to the provisions of this Act and Statutes, have general control over the academic matters of the University and be responsible for the maintenance of standards of instruction, education and examinations within the University and shall exercise such other powers and perform such other functions as may be conferred or imposed upon it by the Statutes.
2. (2) Subject to the provisions of this Act and Statutes, the Academic Council shall have the following powers, duties and functions, namely:-
   • (a) to advise the University Governing Council on all academic matters;
   • (b) to make regulations and to amend or repeal the same;
   • (c) to approve the courses of studies in the institutions maintained by the University;
   • (d) to approve the qualifications of teachers in schools and other institutions maintained by the University;
   • (e) to approve the qualifications of students for admission to the various courses of studies and to the examinations and the conditions under which exemptions may be granted.
   • (f) to consider and approve proposals for the instruction and training in such branches of learning as it may think fit;
   • (g) To consider and approve proposals for the institution of Professors, Associate Professors, Assistant Professors, Readers, Lectures and other teaching and other teaching and research posts required by the University.
   • (h) to approve proposals for determining the degrees, diplomas and other academic distinctions that shall be granted by the University.
     • (i) to decide which examinations of other Universities may be accepted as equivalent to those of the University and to negotiate with other Universities for the recognition of the examinations of the University.
   • (j) to approve, modify or revise schemes for the constitution or reconstitution of departments for teaching, research and extension education based on the proposals received from the School Governing Council;
   • (k) to maintain standards regarding post graduate teaching, research and extension education.
   • (l) to give advice to the University in all academic matters and to submit feasibility report before the Governing Council regarding the academic programmes as recommended by the Senate in its annual meeting;
   • (m) to exercise such other powers and perform such other functions as may be conferred or imposed on it by this Act and Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations made thereunder.

The Research Council –

1. (1) Research Council shall consist of the following members, namely:-
   • (i) Director of Research who shall be the Chairman of the Counicl;
   • (ii) Directors of all Schools;
   • (iii) One senior faculty member who is a recognized guide from each School nominated by the Vice Chancellor;
   • (iv) Director of each Regional Centre;
   • (v) One representative of Indian Council of Agriculture Research;
   • (vi) One representative of MOES;
   • (vii) One representative of fishery industry nominated by the Vice Chancellor; and
   • (viii) The Vice Chancellor of the Planning Board, Government of Kerala or representative of the Board nominated by him.
2. (2) Research Council shall be responsible for formulating research policies, identifying thrust areas, advising possible funding agencies and monitoring and reporting the progress and quality of research to the Vice Chancellor from time to time.
3. (3) The Research Council shall meet at least once in six months.
4. (4) More than half of the total number of members of the Research Council shall form the quorum for a meeting of the Council.

The Schools –

1. (1) The University shall have the following Schools, namely:-
   • (i) School of Aquaculture and Biotechnology;
   • (ii) School of Fisheries Resource Management and Harvest Technology;
   • (iii) School of Aquatic Food Products and Technology;
   • (iv) School of Fishery Environment;
   • (v) School of Ocean Studies and Technology
   • (vi) School of Ocean Engineering and Underwater Technology;
   • (vii) School of Management and Entrepreneurship; and such other schools as may be prescribed from time to time.
2. (2) Each school may comprise such Departments and with such syllabi of subjects of study as may be prescribed.
3. (3) Each school will have a Director appointed as per Statutes.
4. (4) The Director shall be the Chief Executive of the School under him and shall be responsible for the faithful observance of the Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations relating to the School and for the organization and for carrying out teaching, research and extension work in the school.
5. (5) In carrying out teaching, research and extension Programmes, the Director shall work in close co-operation with the Heads of Departments, Director of Research and Director of Extension.
6. (6) The Director shall have financial powers for the day to day and routine functioning of the School.

School Governing Council -

1. (1) The School Governing Council shall consist of the following members, namely:-
   • (i) Director of the School, who shall be the Chairman;
   • (ii) Heads of all Departments of the School;
   • (iii) Senior most Teacher of each Department;
   • (iv) Finance Officer or his representative not below the rank of Assistant;
   • (v) Not more that five experts in the field nominated by the Vice Chancellor in consultation with the Director; Provided that such experts shall be invited only when the agenda includes discussion on curriculum revision.
2. (2) The School Governing Council shall meet at least once in a month.
3. (3) More than half of the members shall form the quorum of the Council.

Powers and Functions of the School Governing Council –

1. (1) All policies regarding academic and administrative matters of the School shall be taken in the meeting of the School Governing Council .
2. (2) The School Governing Council shall oversee and approve proposals from the Departmental Governing Council in all academic matters including examinations and results thereof.
3. (3) The Director shall carry out the decisions of the School Governing Council and co-ordinate the functions of the Departments in the best interest of the School and the University.
4. (4) The School Governing Council shall prescribe the qualifications of the examiners and approve the panel of examiners for external examinations.
5. (5) The Director shall appoint examiners and conduct the external examinations.
6. (6) The School Governing Council shall meet at least once in three months or as and when required to review the academic activities and to take decisions on need based curricular changes.
7. (7) The School Governing Council shall have adequate financial powers for the functioning of the various Departments under the School including power for strengthening the infrastructure, improving the teaching and research facilities and for maintaining and operating research vessel.
8. (8) Without prejudice to the provisions in sub-clauses
9. (1) to (7), the School Governing Council shall have the following powers, namely:-
   • (a) to propose the courses of studies in the institutions maintained by the University.
   • (b) to propose the qualifications of teachers in Schools and other institutions maintained by the University.
   • (c) to propose the qualifications of students for admission to the various courses of studies and to the examinations and the conditions under which exemptions may be granted;
   • (d) to make proposal for instruction and training in such branches of learning as it may think fit;
   • (e) to make proposal for the institution of Professorships, Readerships, Lectureships and other teaching and research posts required by the University.
   • (f) to propose schemes for the constitution or reconstitution of Departments for teaching, research and extension education based on the proposals received from the Department Governing Council ;
   • (g) to exercise such other powers and perform such other functions as may be conferred or imposed on it by this Act and Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations make thereunder.

Departments-

1. (1) Each School shall have such number of Departments as may be prescribed from time to time.
2. (2) Each Department shall have a Head whose appointment, powers and duties shall be such as may be prescribed by the Statutes.
3. (3) The Head of the Department shall be the Executive Head and shall be responsible for the faithful observance of Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations relating to the Department and for the organization and conduct of teaching, research and extension work in the Department under him.
4. (4) The Head of the Department shall also be responsible to the Director of School for the teaching, research and extension Programmes entrusted to his Department.

The Department Governing Council -

1. (1) All permanent teachers of the concerned Department shall be the members of the Department Governing Council.
2. (2) All policies regarding the academic and administrative matters pertaining to the Department shall be taken in a meeting of the Department Governing Council.
3. (3) The Department Governing Council shall prescribe the qualifications of the examiners and approve the panel of examiners for internal examination.
4. (4) The Head of Department shall implement the decisions of the Department Governing Council after due approval by the concerned bodies.
5. (5) The Head of Department shall appoint examiners, and conduct the internal examination.
6. (6) The Department Governing Council shall design the syllabus and make proposal regarding the courses of study in the Department to the School Governing Council .
7. (7) The Department Governing Council shall meet at least once in a month or as and when required to review the academic activities and to suggest need based curricular changes.

The Faculties –

1. (1) The faculties shall be the principal academic co-ordination authorities of the University in respect of studies and research in the subjects included in the faculty and also in respect of studies and research in multi-disciplinary faculties.
2. (2) The University shall have such faculties as may be prescribed by the Statutes.
3. (3) A faculty shall be constituted, divided or combined with another faculty or abolished only with the approval of the Academic Council.
4. (4) The faculty shall comprise such subjects as may be prescribed by the Statutes.
5. (5) The faculty shall consist of the following members, namely:-
   • (i) the Dean – Ex-officio Chairperson;
   • (ii) the Chairperson of each Board of Studies for the subjects comprised in the Faculty;
   • (iii) One member of each Board of Studies to be elected by the members of the Board of Studies from among themselves out of whom at least one shall be a postgraduate teacher; and
   • (iv) two subject experts, preferably from outside the State, nominated by the Vice Chancellor.
6. (6) The term of members of a faculty shall be three years or such period as may be prescribed by the Statutes.

The Power and functions of Faculties –

1. (1) The faculty shall have the following powers and functions, namely:-
   • (a) to consider and report on any matter referred to it by any Council including the University Governing Council , Academic Council or Planning Committee;
   • (b) to consider and approve recommendations of the Board of Studies in the faculty on matters not affecting any other faculty;
   • (c) to consider and make recommendations to the Academic Council on academic matters within its purview which affect any other faculty or faculties or which involve administrative or financial implecations;
   • (d) to consider and recommend to the Academic Council introduction of new courses, inter-disciplinary courses and short-term training Programmes referred to it by the Board of Studies or Board of Inter-disciplinary Studies, if any, constituted by the Statutes;
   • (e) to ensure that rules and guidelines framed for the following matters by the Academic Council are implemented :-
     • (i) long-term curriculum development;
     • (ii) faculty development;
     • (iii) teaching or learning material development;
     • (iv) research in educational matters with particular reference to colleges;
   • (f) to plan organization of inter-departmental and inter-faculty Programmes in consultation with the Board of Studies and other faculties;
   • (g) to recommend to the Academic Staff College and the Academic Council regarding organization of continuing Fisheries/continuing ocean studies education, refresher and orientation courses for teachers of University especially for the revised or newly introduced or inter-disciplinary courses of study;
   • (h) to prepare and submit the annual report of the functioning of the faculty to the Vice Chancellor ; and
     • (i) to consider any other academic matter which may be referred to it.

Constitution of Committees – Every Authority shall have the power to appoint committees which may, unless otherwise provided in this Act or the Statutes, consist of the members of the Authority, and such other persons as it may think fit.

1. (1) Save as otherwise provided in this Act, any casual vacancy among the members, other than ex-officio members of any Authority or body of the University shall be filled, as soon as may be convenient, by nominated or elected members whose place has become vacant, as the case may be and the person nominated or elected to such casual vacancy shall be a member of such Authority or body for the remaining period for which the person whose place he fills would have been a member.
2. (2) The University Governing Council may remove any person from membership of any Authority or body of the University on the ground that such person has been convicted of an offence involving moral turpitude; Provided that no order for removal shall be passed against any person without giving him an opportunity of being heard.
3. (3) Any person who is a member of any Authority of the University, other than the University Governing Council as a representative of another body, whether of the University or not, shall retain his membership in the Authority only so long as he continues to be a member of the body from which he was nominated or elected and continue thereafter till his successor is duly nominated or elected.
4. (4) If any question arises as to whether any person has been duly nominated or elected as, or is entitled to be, a member of any Authority of the University, the question shall be referred to the Chancellor whose decision shall be final.

1. (1) No act or proceedings of any Authority or other body of the University shall be invalid merely by reason of any defect in the constitution of such Authority or body or the existence of a vacancy or vacancies among its members or by reason of a person having taken part in the proceedings who is subsequently found not to have been entitled to do so.
2. (2) Save as otherwise provided in this Act, all acts done and orders passed in good faith by the University or any Authority or body of the University shall be final and no suit shall be instituted against or damage claimed from the University or such Authority or body for anything done or purported to be done in pursuance of this Act, Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations made thereunder.
3. (3) No suit, prosecution or other proceedings shall lie against any officer or other employee of the University for any Act done or purported to be done under this Act or Statutes or Ordinances or Regulations made thereunder without the previous sanction of the University Governing Council .
4. (4) No officer or other employee of the University shall be liable in respect of any such Act in any civil or criminal proceedings, if the Act was done in good faith and in the course of the execution of the duties or in the discharge of functions imposed by or under this Act.