SUGUNAN Vs. UNIVERSITY OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By Ext. P1 notification dated 1-3-1982 the Kerala University invited applications from qualified candidates for appointment to the post of Reader in Chemistry. The petitioner and the 4th respondent applied; and the Selection Committee consisting of the Vice Chancellor, a Syndicate member, two experts from outside and the Professor of Chemistry (id the Kerala University) selected the 4th respondent for the post. The petitioner challenges this selection on the ground that the 4th respondent was not sufficiently qualified for being considered, either at the time the notification was issued or at the time the selection was made.

(2.) Under the Regulations framed by the Academic Council of the University, a person could be appointed as Reader in Science only if he possesses the following qualifications:-

(3.) The stand of the University is that the 4th respondent had acquired experience in teaching for about 3 years while undergoing advanced studies for Senior Research Fellowship under a programme of the U.G.C., and that this could also be added to his experience as a Lecturer, for the purposes of the Regulations. In a sense, therefore, the question is whether mere participation in teaching work as part of the programme for post doctoral research could be regarded as "experience of teaching at a University or college".