Osmania varsity faces staff crunch

Tribune News Service

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Hyderabad, November 24 

Internationally acclaimed Osmania University (OU) is passing through difficult times due to an acute shortage of staff. The university is functioning on nearly one-third of the sanctioned teaching positions. Once known to be the centre of knowledge in the Deccan, the ranking of the institution has been dropping, leaving the academia worried.

Ranked among the top 10 universities in the state and once 34th in India, the varsity is staring at uncertain times with 32 from the teaching faculty retiring within the next one year.

A senior faculty member, who did not wish to be identified out of fear of being reprimanded, said more than half of the teaching positions are today vacant with teachers leaving due to various reasons, including superannuation. There are only 450 permanent teachers, while the sanctioned strength is 1,254. “The situation is only worse with most departments functioning with a handful, and that too mostly at junior levels”.

The last recruitment was held on campus in 2012 when about 170 teaching posts were filled, says Prof N Rao, who has since retired. “With faculty retiring from key departments such as physics, botany, statistics, mathematics and commerce, the crisis looks imminent”.

Once known for its English Language Department and Department of Journalism, besides other faculty, most of the PhD related teaching has come to a halt. Since there is so much pressure of regular work, not many are willing to take on PhD work.