Chennai, Oct 27:
Anna University is yet to appoint a full-time Controller of Examinations despite completing the selection process and shortlisting a candidate nearly a year ago. The post has reportedly been managed by an officer holding additional charge for the past five years, raising concerns among faculty members over the university’s administrative functioning.
The delay comes at a time when the university is also functioning without a Vice-Chancellor. Anna University oversees more than 400 engineering colleges across Tamil Nadu, including four university campus colleges, 16 constituent colleges and hundreds of affiliated private institutions.
The Controller of Examinations plays a crucial role in the university’s academic administration. The responsibilities include preparing question papers, overseeing the evaluation of answer scripts and handling applications for mark retotalling. The post is considered one of the most important administrative positions in the university, after those of the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar.
According to university sources, applications were invited from eligible candidates about a year ago, and interviews were conducted for seven candidates. One candidate was subsequently shortlisted. The selection process was conducted by a university convener committee that included Innocent Dhivya, the then Director of Technical Education and an IAS officer.
Previously, the Vice-Chancellor had the authority to appoint a full-time Controller of Examinations. The university introduced an interview-based selection process last year. However, despite the process being completed, the appointment remains pending.
The continued vacancy has raised questions about the delay in filling a key post responsible for examination-related functions affecting thousands of engineering students. The university is yet to announce when the appointment will be made.