Grievances over National Sports University highlighted to PM
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 02 2022:
Apunba Imagi Machasing (AIMS), Manipur has submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi today raising different grievances on the National Sports University and appealed for swift action to address the said grievances.
The memorandum, which was signed by Dr Atom Sunil Singh, Director AIMS, Professor Amar Yumnam former VC Manipur University and adviser AIMS, Yambem Laba, former chairperson (ic) MHRC and adviser AIMS, Dr S Manikanta adviser AIMS, M Khelendro president AIMS, N Ratan Meetei, Director AIMS and Mawung Mingthing, secretary AIMS informed that the National Sports University (NSU) was conceptualized by members of AIMS, Manipur with a proposal submitted to the PM during the tenure of erstwhile Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sarbananda Sonowal, on June 8, 2014 .
Stating that many grievances arose early on, the memorandum cited that the initial location selected for establishment of the University had been converted into a business centre to suit specific individuals.
Further in 2017, when a course in sports nutrition was attempted to be added, the syllabus could not be completed.
In this regard, the memorandum pointed out that out of the four members of the syllabus committee, two did not have any appropriate background.
"There are no regular staff in the NSU.
Everyone is on contract, while some recruits are on deputation.
In some cases, employees are appointed from within their own families by some individuals.
Since no regular faculty or non- teaching staff members have been appointed, the university is left in the lurch, and thus adversely affecting students' careers", the statement continued.
The memorandum also alleged that a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, was not recruited in accordance with UGC regulations for the post of the NSU's VC.
The said VC worked mostly from New Delhi though his official residence is provided at Lamphel.
In six months of joining, he stayed in Imphal for only one month.
He left for Delhi on February 18, 2020, it added.
Further, the memorandum slammed the VC and the Registrar of NSU for not constituting the mandatory authorities, namely, the Court, the Executive Council, the Academic and Activity Council, Departmental Board of Sports Studies and School of Board of Studies, etc.
A university cannot function without these authorities as per UGC guidelines.
Raising certain questions of propriety and validity, AIMS questioned how a university can function without establishing the appropriate authorities for the varied engagements of the institute starting from Curriculum Development, Syllabus Adoption, Teaching and Evaluation.
The memorandum also alleged that a person, who was not eligible for the position of Dean was appointed as the Dean for six months.
Further, AIMS stated that there are disputes surrounding the appointment of Dean of the University.
AIMS also shared that the current Dean is not a full-time employee, and he is also not eligible for the position.
There has also been no appointment for the post of Pro Vice Chancellor till date, it informed.
The memorandum further accused the VC of not utilizing the budget provided for the university, alleging that since 2017 the authorities had been unable to utilise these funds.
AIMS urged the PM to take up actions to help the university in resolving these issues and enable the institute to play the expected role in enhancing the dignity of the Nation.