Chennai: Anna University‘s former vice-chancellor E Balagurusamy on Saturday urged chief minister M K Stalin to revive state universities and safeguard the future of Tamil Nadu‘s youth.

In his appeal, Balagurusamy said the present state of affairs in state universities was nothing short of an institutional breakdown and demanded immediate and decisive intervention at the highest level. “More than 14 state universities are functioning without vice-chancellors for prolonged periods, and they lack regular registrars. The prolonged leadership vacuum has paralysed decision-making, weakened accountability, and eroded institutional credibility,” he said.

He also said the universities are facing huge vacancies in faculty positions, a shortage of funds, and neglect of research and innovation, adding that the victims of this systemic neglect are students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds who rely on public universities for upward mobility. “The continued inaction will cause long-term, possibly irreversible, damage to the state’s intellectual and human capital. Your timely intervention can still restore confidence, revive universities, and safeguard the future of Tamil Nadu‘s youth,” he said.

Due to the ongoing tussle between Governor R N Ravi and state govt on including the UGC’s nominee in V-C search committees, 14 of the 22 state universities have been functioning without vice-chancellors for periods ranging between one year and three years.

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