At India’s University of Lucknow, known for violent student politics until a few years ago, the faculty association has in an unusual move decided to vote to determine who are five of the most corrupt faculty members on campus. This follows on the heels of accusations of rampant corruption in the admission processes and embezzlement of funds, India Today reports.
R.V. Singh, general secretary of the Lucknow University Teachers’ Association, said all faculty members on the campus have been branded corrupt, which is why the association decided to take this step. “At the meeting, each teacher will write on a piece of paper the name of the teacher he considers the most corrupt. He will also mention the reason for his choice,” said Mr. Singh, adding that the association is trying to convince all 450 faculty members to participate.
One faculty member, Sudhir Kumar, said this was a good idea but that his colleagues need to be careful. “Someone disliked for his uprightness might get the maximum votes.”
The university’s spokesman, S.K. Dwivedi, said there is already a system in place to punish faculty members on the basis of a complaint. “The authorities take action if the Lucknow University Teachers’ Association gives evidence to prove someone is corrupt. But we welcome the move,” Mr. Dwivedi said.
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4 Responses to At One Indian University, Faculty Members Will Vote on Who Among Them Is the Most Corrupt
11152886 - September 30, 2011 at 9:33 am
What a courageous woman, I am so impressed with her belief in herself, her desire to make her university a better place for herself, for women and for the culture in which she lives. She has an amazing father.
Guest - October 3, 2011 at 1:30 pm
This was a fascinating, inspiring piece. Thanks for passing it on.
madeleine_gardeur - October 5, 2011 at 5:26 pm
Dear Jomana,
I am so happy we met in Copenhagen, You are not only a courageous, enthusiastic and very clever professor, your personal Arabic Spring will certainly benefit the people around you. That is your way of being: you talked with love about your students and how you want to make a difference to them. I am sure you will do. My university, the University of Groningen is certainly interested to work with your University Al al-Bayt, especially in the field of study of Arabic, Islam and as you put it, to deepen the values of freedom of thought and expression. Student exchange at Master or PhD level would be vert interesting to explore. I will never forget the deep respect with which you spoke about your family and especially your father. I encourage other universities to make the step into the desert and discover new horizons, very useful and inspiring to Western universities as well.
raza_khan - October 13, 2011 at 1:47 am
Very good article and Jomana is very lucky woman indeed that she had the support of her family / father as she pursued higher education. There are few boys and unfortunately many girls who are the silent heroes in Asia / Africa who defied their parents to get education so that they could better themselves and achieve their dream.
Raza
__________________
Dr. Raza Khan
Chemistry Faculty
Dr.Raza.Khan@gmail.com