University

Role of.

Petitioner impugned the re-appointment of the Vice Chancellor on the ground that under the University of Punjab Act, 1973, the Vice Chancellor could only be appointed for one term not exceeding four years and that the retirement age for the incumbent of said office was sixty years, whereas the incumbent Vice Chancellor had already attained age of superannuation and since his first term was over, his continued appointment was illegal

Contention of the University was that issues raised by the petitioner had become redundant in the light of the promulgation of the Public Sector Universities (Amendment) Act, 2012 whereby amendments were made to the University of the Punjab Act, 1973

Held, that the amendments in the University of the Punjab Act, 1973 envisaged that a person may be appointed as Vice Chancellor prior to attaining the age of sixty-five years and in the present case, the Vice Chancellor was reappointed at the age of sixty-one years

Section 14(8) of Public Sector Universities (Amendment) Act, 2012 provided that the incumbent Vice Chancellor was not allowed extension in his tenure but was eligible to compete for the Vice-Chancellor post after expiry of his term, and therefore, an incumbent Vice-Chancellor could be a candidate for re-appointment in a fresh selection process for the post

Vice-Chancellor, in the present case, was re-appointed as a result of a fresh selection process Public Sector Universities (Amendment) Act, 2012 contained a validation clause, whereby it could operate retrospectively, and it was a curative and remedial law which operated retrospectively to correct omissions and mistakes that were the subject matter of pending proceedings like the present case

Even otherwise, if the defects pointed out by the petitioner were presumed to exist, the same stood cured and remedied by the Public Sector Universities (Amendment) Act, 2012 with retrospective effect

Constitutional petition was therefore dismissed, in circumstances.

University not only enables future generations to equip themselves with degrees/practical tools to earn livelihood but also enriches them with learning, with wisdom and with visions for practical lives

To achieve its objects, University functions besides the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor through its various institutions i.e., the Faculty, the Senate, the Syndicate and Board of Studies

Vice-Chancellor is a University's institutional head and enjoys a pivotal position

Being the executive and academic head of a University, it is for Vice-Chancellor to ensure that University's Statute, Regulations and Rules are faithfully observed

Vice-Chancellor presides over meetings of various bodies of University and affiliated colleges and in matters of urgent nature, it is the Vice-Chancellor who takes remedial steps; it is he who creates temporary posts when urgency requires; he sanctions expenditures provided for in approved budget, re-appropriates amounts not exceeding a certain amount; he convenes meetings of the Senate and the Syndicate

Vice-Chancellor is a bridge between executive and academic wings of University

Such multi-dimensional role of Vice Chancellor requires that person who occupies this office should be imbued with values and character traits of integrity, of academic excellence and administrative ability.

University - Examination - Allegations against student of using unfair means - University disqualifying candidate on reports submitted by Invigilator, Superintendent and Examiner without the candidate being ever confronted with such reports or given opportunity to refute those materials - Order passed by University, held, without lawful authority and of no consequence. Maxim: audi alteram partem applied.

University University-(Punjab)-Academic ordinance 19 read with Ordinance 18-"Suitable punishment"-Nature of punishment not indicated in Ordinance 19-Vice-Chancellor may impose penalties provided for in Ordinance 18.

University -Civil Court competent to grant relief against.