In spite of such a serious fundamental drawback in private universities, some of them leading ones, they are teeming with student applicants for admission signifying, in general terms, that there exists a very high demand for private university education in the country. It, therefore, defies understanding as to why such a large number of private universities are having to operate, or operating without a full-fledged VC. What has been the role of the government, education ministry and the University Grants Commission in all this?

The University Grants Commission had sent a draft law on private universities to the government's policy making authority almost a year ago, but nothing has since been heard of it, except for the fact that the private university people are opposed to some of its intended contents. The private university lobby would like the trustee boards to have a majority in the syndicate. But according to the draft law, it is understood that government nominees will have the weightage in the formation of syndicate. If that be the case, then it would amount to governmentalisation or politicisation, if not nationalisation, of the private universities.

While people in authority blame private universities for many shortcomings, including not having VCs or treasurers, the private universities, on the other hand, hold the government responsible for delay in the processing of files for appointment of VCs. It doesn't augur well for the future of private universities that appointments of VCs are made or withheld due to political considerations. Both are equally bad.