NALSAR student body urges Search Committee to re-appoint Prof Faizan Mustafa as Vice-Chancellor

Following the news that NALSAR Hyderabad is looking for a new Vice-Chancellor in light of the impending retirement of Prof Faizan Mustafa, the student body has called for his re-appointment to the post..In its letter to the Search-cum-Selection Committee appointed for finding a new VC for the University, the student body has said that Section 17(iv) of the NALSAR Act, 1998 permits re-appointments for multiple terms, until the candidate reaches the age of 70 years..Calling for administrative stability and shedding light on Prof Mustafa's contributions to NALSAR, the representation signed by 565 out of 840 full-time students (67% of the total strength) said,"Under Prof. Mustafa’s leadership over the last ten years, the University has grown incrementally both in terms of its academic offerings and overall reputation. We believe that it is in the best interests of the University to ensure administrative continuity at this point of time. At present, we are transitioning back to regular academic activities after the pandemic-induced shift towards online education over the last two years. In such an uncertain time, the institution will benefit from stability in its leadership, even as we collectively prepare to navigate a post-pandemic future.".The student body has also collectively approached Prof Mustafa requesting him to submit an 'Indication of Interest' for the position, as per the advertisement issued by the Search Committee on April 12, 2022..Prof Faizan Mustafa to demit office as NALSAR Vice-Chancellor; University begins hunt for new VC.The students have credited Prof Mustafa with, among other things, developing a vibrant choice-based credit system, starting the LL.M, PhD and MBA programmes, enhancement of library facilities, ensuring that there was no adverse impact on the academic schedule during the COVID-19 pandemic, deepening the range and effectiveness of the faculty, managing the finances and resources of the University with prudence, and running the institution in a participatory and equitable manner..Speaking to Bar & Bench in reaction to the representation, Prof Mustafa said, "I am extremely overwhelmed by the representation made by the students and the love, affection and respect shown by them. This is an endorsement that whatever little I could do for the University, students have appreciated. The students have mentioned in the representation that during my tenure, the administration was participatory; all stakeholders were taken on board for all decision-making at the University.I firmly believe this is how it should be. Students who are the most prominent stakeholders in an educational institution, and should be made part of the affairs of a University. They will also comply with laws, whose drafting they have been a party," Prof Mustafa added. .After serving two five-year terms as Vice-Chancellor of NALSAR, Prof Mustafa is set to demit office on July 31 this year. The University recently put out an advertisement calling for applicants to fill the post. The Search Committee set up for this purpose comprises:1. Prof SP Gautam - Convenor (Former Vice-Chancellor, Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh)2. Prof Upendra Baxi (Former Vice-Chancellor, Delhi University)3. Prof Gurmeet Singh (Vice-Chancellor, Pondicherry University).[Read Representation]