DR. FAIZAL Vs. KANNUR UNIVERSITY

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner applied to the post of Assistant Professor in Molecular Biology in the services of Kannur University, in response to Ext.P1 notification issued by them. He alleges that the online format for disclosure of his credentials did not provide for opportunity to upload all his teaching experience since, as evident from Ext.P2 screenshot of the instructions, solely the post-doctoral teaching experience could be uploaded. He asserts that even though he obtained Ph.D. only in the year 2018, he had large experience as a teacher in Medical Biochemistry prior to it; and that this also ought to have been reckoned by the Screening/Selection Committee of the University, in which event, he would have been found eligible for being shortlisted for interview.

(2.) The petitioner asserts that since the online format incapacitated him from even uploading the teaching experience prior to the obtention of Ph.D, the Screening/Selection Committee erred in denying him the opportunity of being called for interview. He thus prays that Ext.P6 shortlist be quashed and it be declared that Ext.P1 notification is not in tune with the 'UGC Regulations on Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and Other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education, 2018' (hereinafter referred to as 'UGC Regulations, 2018 for short).

(3.) I have heard Sri. P.K. Ibrahim - learned counsel for the petitioner; Sri. S. Krishnamoorthy - learned Standing Counsel for the University Grants Commission (UGC) and Sri. I.V. Pramod - learned Standing Counsel for the Kannur University.