After the enactment of the Common Universities Act, the newly constituted board of management and executive council (EC) of Gujarat University met for the first time on Dec 8. The board and EC discussed crucial topics, including the suspension of the head of the department (HOD) for his misbehaviour.

In August this year, a woman professor accused the former head of the social sciences department, Mukesh Khatik, of mental harassment.

During the meeting, the board reviewed a report from the university’s women’s development cell (WDC) on Khatik, concluding him guilty of misconduct.

Khatik was suspended, and the board directed the formation of an inquiry committee, led by a retired judge, to further investigate the matter. The investigation will be wrapped up in 45-60 days, after which the final decision on Khatik’s promotion will be taken.

The board also suspended three professors and initiated an inquiry against another concerning alleged financial irregularities.

The board suspended Vipul Patel from the department of social work and Vanrajsinh Chavda from the Indian cultural department for the alleged illegal appointments of 17 professors.

In the meeting, 71 teachers were given promotions under the career advancement scheme (CAS). Senior professors have not been included in the promotion criteria by the board.

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