The Chancellor and Governor of Maharashtra Dr P C Alexander at Raj Bhavan.

MUMBAI, May 14: Controversies for a man who is widely believed to be preparing to stake his claim to the vice-president's post are an anathema.

But the chancellor and governor of Maharashtra, Dr Padinjarethalakal Cherian Alexander, does not seem to be too rattled by a series of paper leakages, allegations of corruption against university staff and more recently the FIR against the new pro-VC for verbally abusing a scheduled caste college peon.

Here in a rare and exclusive interview, he discusses with Vijay Singh the problems facing Mumbai University, which he believes is the best in India.

Was there such a dearth of good academicians in the varsity that a person whose name features in police records had to be made the pro-vice chancellor?I don't know about the dearth of persons or anything like that...we don't have any shortage of good academicians. But under the provisions of the Universities Act the chancellor appoints the pro-VC after consulting the vice-chancellor. I had first asked for a panel of candidates...then I interviewed the candidates and made the selection. His (Dr Naresh Chandra's) was one of the names recommended by the vice-chancellor.

But what about the complaints that have been lodged against Dr Chandra in the recent past?

I do understand that complaints have been made against him, and these came to my notice later probably to vice-chancellor's notice also. These are being listened to by the concerned authorities and at this stage it is not necessary for me to make any comments on it.

Even though he has a police case going against him, he was promoted to the post of pro-VC. Doesn't this send a wrong signal to others, especially the young, impressionable students?

When I had interviewed him, he was already holding the post of the director of college development...but in any case the complaint against him is being looked into by the concerned authorities. So I don't want to make any comments on this.

But as a Chancellor of the University, couldn't you have taken some remedial steps like executing a suspension order till he is proved guilty or innocent? No no don't put words in my mouth, I don't even go into the question at this stage. The complaint is being looked into and the appropriate authorities will deal with that. Till this is done, I don't want to make any comments.

How much time will it take?

I cannot say that as I'm not dealing with the complaint.

A lot of political clout seems to have pervaded the academic arena. Do you think politicians lobby hard to get their men in the high places?

It is absolutely incorrect to say that any clout has been exercised in the university affairs. I have appointed 15 vice-chancellors and four pro-vice chancellors in various universities in Maharashtra but never have I been influenced by anyone.

How would you rate Mumbai University in India today?

Well, it's still the best.

Have you thought of taking any steps towards exam-related problems in Mumbai University?

There have been instances of leakage of question papers; the system of examination and the methods of evaluation have to be tightened up in order to make the system more credible.

The University of Mumbai has a very high reputation and there is no doubt that the irregularities that have been reported will lead to further tightening for the exam system.

Though the office of Controller of Examinations has been recently given added powers, academicians say it has not really galvanised the system. They also feel that introduction of moderation system has been too sudden... The university has become very large with over 275 affiliated colleges in addition to various departments under its control. Individual colleges and university should work together to ensure absolute integrity in the examination system. It may take a little more time to straighten out all the problems there is the controller of examinations, paper setters, evaluators but the university will soon come out with solutions.The Principals' Forum feels every college should have a vice-principal's post for better administration. Comments.

I have no comment on this. It is essentially an administrative matter. What is really more important for the success of higher education is quality education. The problem today is that a degree by itself does not guarantee that the person who holds that piece of paper is really what his employer is looking for. So the university should primarily be concerned with how it can ensure better standards.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.