Chennai: The Indian Institute of Technology - Madras (IIT-M) is searching for the right candidate to fill the posts of its director M S Ananth, who is set to quit by the end of July. Prof Ananth has said that his successor is likely to come from the IIT or IISc system.
As per sources, Professor Ananth, serving his second term as director, is the first director to resign before the end of his term in June 2012. He said that everything he wanted done here has been completed. Now the institute needs somebody with a different mission. Also, suggested some names to the board and expected the nominations to be considered, the choice was left to the IIT council's search committee. He mentioned that the next director is likely to come from the IIT - IISc system, but the choice is left to the search committee.
Previously, the search committee scrutinized the eligible candidates in the system for a suitable candidate and senior academics were also invited to suggest names. The requisites are that a candidate should be preferably not over 60 years, should have a PhD with first class or equivalent in the preceding degree in the appropriate branch, possessing an outstanding academic record throughout. They should have a minimum of 10 years' experience as professor in a reputed educational institute.
This year, with an aim to invite more applications and give the search-cum-selection committee a wider choice, the Human Resource Development (HRD) ministry has published advertisements seeking applications for the post of director in IIT Delhi and IIT Roorkee in February. However, as per IIT sources Ananth, who had talked of leaving even in 2010, sent in his resignation a couple of months ago, but the MHRD had not put out advertisements for IIT Madras. Sources say the IIT council will also consider applications of senior Indian academics settled abroad and who would like to return.
According to a statement issued by N R Madhava Menon, who heads the committee to evolve a comprehensive policy on autonomy for Central universities, the IITs and IIMs, said one of the recommendations made of the committee on varsity autonomy was to make the selection process of institute directors more transparent. He added that they have suggested that the nominations for heads of central universities could be taken after consultation with stakeholders. This can be done once central universities are granted greater autonomy. Professor Menon also mentioned that only last week the search committee of Mizoram University had selected a head after taking into account the views of civil society, the government, staff and students.
Furthermore, Professor Ananth's stint as director saw the setting up of the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL), which attempts to enhance the quality of engineering education by developing curriculum-based video and web courses. A lot of his effort has also gone into setting up the IIT Madras Research Park, and he hopes he will be able to see its inauguration before he leaves. He also added that he plan to spend the next two years in tying up some loose ends in research in either IIT Bombay or IISc Bangalore.
