Concerns raised over promotion interviews at Punjabi University
The Punjabi University Teachers Association (PUTA) has registered strong exception to the “manner” in which promotion interviews of three faculty members were held on Wednesday evening.
“We are writing to express our deep concern and strong objection to the manner in which the recent promotion interviews were conducted under the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) on September 4,” PUTA members wrote in a letter addressed to the university Vice-Chancellor and Secretary, Higher Education, KK Yadav.
University sources said expect for the Dean of Academics, Narinder Kaur Multani, members of the selection panel took the interview through video-conferencing around 6.30 pm. “While we do not oppose the conduct of promotion interviews in principle, we are deeply concerned by the ‘selective’ and ‘arbitrary approach’ adopted by the university in this instance,” read the letter addressed to the VC.
The selection of only three teachers for promotion, while others continue to wait indefinitely undermines the trust that the teaching community places in the university administration. Besides, the apparent selection on a pick-and-choose basis raises further suspicions among the community. — Punjabi University Teachers Association
It further noted that the decision to conduct promotion interviews for only three teachers, who seemed to have been selected on a pick-and-choose basis, raised suspicions and doubts among the teaching community.
The teachers’ association stated that such an approach was not only unjust, but also detrimental to the morale of the faculty. “We request clarification on the criteria used to select these three teachers, as the process appears arbitrary and lacks transparency. It is our firm belief that a proper roster system should have been followed to ensure fairness and accountability in the promotion process.”
The association added that numerous teachers, who had been waiting for their rightful promotions for several years, had also applied for the same.
“The selection of only three teachers for promotion, while others continue to wait indefinitely undermines the trust and confidence that the teaching community places in the university administration,” stated PUTA. It urged the administration to immediately rectify this situation.
“We demand that all teachers who have applied for promotions and are eligible under the Career Advancement Scheme be promoted without further delay,” said the teachers’ body.
It stressed that the university administration must take prompt steps to restore faculty members’ trust and confidence by ensuring fairness and transparency in all university matters. “We hope that our concerns will be addressed promptly and we look forward to your immediate action on this critical issue,” added PUTA.
Despite repeated attempts, VC KK Yadav and Dean of Academics, Dr Narinder Kaur Multani, could not be contacted for comments.
As per the available information, Dr Rubina, who is working at Nawab Sher Mohammad Khan Institute of Advanced Studies in Urdu, Persian and Arabic, Malerkotla, was called for the associate professor’s interview.
Dr Pushpinder Joshi, Assistant Professor, Department of Sanskrit, attended the interview for the post of associate professor. Similarly, the Electronics Department of the university had called Harjinder Singh for the promotion interview.
