KOCHI: The association of fisheries graduates (AFG) has demanded that the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (Kufos) consider all those who have necessary qualifications as prescribed by the UGC for the post of assistant and associate professor as per the directives of the high court.
The association had sought legal redressal as Kufos decided to recruit only those holding ‘degree or PG in fisheries science’. The high court had issued orders directing the fisheries university to consider the applications from all candidates having the necessary qualifications prescribed by the UGC for appointment to the post of assistant professor as well as associate professor.
This order comes in the wake of a notification dated Feb 1, 2022 issued by Kufos inviting applications for the posts of assistant as well as associate professor(s), for which a bachelor’s degree recognized by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is prescribed as an essential qualification.
The AFG also called on the university authorities to modify and renotify the employment notification, making the eligibility criteria compliant with UGC guidelines. The association also called for an extension in the last date for application submission, to enable all eligible candidates to submit their applications.
“The minimum qualification prescribed by the UGC for appointment as assistant professors is postgraduation in the relevant subject/subject concerned and any person holding a degree in BSc is entitled for admission for a postgraduate course,” they said at a press conference held in Kochi on Monday.
The current notification issued by Kufos, and the essential qualifications prescribed therein, rely on the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (Amendment) Act, 2021. Section 45A of this act restricted the basic qualification of teachers in the faculty of fisheries to those holding ‘degree in fisheries science approved by ICAR.
