Ravneet Singh
Tribune News Service
Patiala, October 18
Punjabi University, Patiala, has drawn flak for giving ‘insufficient time’ to applicants for hiring guest faculty at some of its colleges within a day of issuing the notification. The development has received criticism from research scholars who missed the interviews or were left unawares.
The university released the notification for hiring NET-qualified candidates who will be paid maximum Rs 15,000 per month for their services at eight colleges in the Malwa region on October 11. In some colleges, the interviews were held the very next day.
A research scholar of the university complained, “How can the university hold interviews for hiring within 24 hours of issuing a notification for the same? It is as if everything was already planned and only a formality was done with the notification.”
The interviews for two posts of teacher in English and one of sociology at the University College, Ghanaur, along with one post of teacher in English at Miranpur College were held on the same day i.e. October 12. A student said, “Interviews for the same subject at two colleges of the university were held at the same time. No one can appear at two different places at one time. This has restricted our opportunities.”
At most other colleges on the list, the university gave around two and three days for applying for the posts. The last date for applying at Benra College, Dhuri, was October 14.
Interestingly, insiders at the University College, Miranpur and Sardulgarh, said they received one applicant each for single posts at the time of interview. Requesting anonymity, an official said, “This place is far away and does not get many applicants as they are not paid much.” They confirmed the lone interviewees were hired.
University VC Prof Arvind said earlier, principals used to hire guest faculty on their own. “This time we made the process transparent by issuing notifications and specially monitored the process. We will make it better next time.” He said the university did not receive any calls from applicants stating they were late for the interviews.
Punjabi varsity hires faculty within day of notification, draws flak
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