Chemistry Professor Appointed English HOD at Gujarat University Sparks Academic Outrage

Gujarat University appoints chemistry professor as English HOD

When Shakespeare meets the periodic table, you might expect a clever metaphor—but not a university administrative decision. Yet, that’s exactly what unfolded at Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University (HNGU) in Patan, where a chemistry professor was controversially appointed as the in-charge Head of Department (HOD) for the English department. The move, widely criticized as academically indefensible, triggered legal action, judicial scrutiny, and a swift reversal—highlighting deeper issues in India’s higher education governance .

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The Controversial Appointment

In early 2026, HNGU’s administration named a senior professor from the Chemistry Department as the interim head of its English Department. The decision came amid internal disputes and vacancies within the humanities faculty. While universities sometimes assign cross-departmental responsibilities during transitions, this appointment crossed a red line for many academics and students alike .

The English department, home to scholars of literature, linguistics, and critical theory, suddenly found itself under the leadership of someone with no background in language, literary studies, or even the humanities. Faculty members argued that such a move undermined the department’s academic identity and compromised curriculum decisions, research guidance, and student mentorship.

Chemistry Professor English HOD: Why It Raised Eyebrows

At first glance, interdisciplinary collaboration sounds progressive. But leading an academic department isn’t about general management—it’s about scholarly expertise. An HOD is responsible for:

  • Evaluating research proposals in their field
  • Designing syllabi aligned with disciplinary standards
  • Mentoring PhD students on thesis topics
  • Representing the department in national academic forums
  • Assessing faculty promotions based on subject-specific criteria

Can a chemistry expert fairly evaluate a dissertation on postcolonial poetry or Victorian novels? Most academics say no. As Dr. Meera Desai, a former UGC panelist, notes, “Departmental leadership requires deep immersion in the discipline—not just administrative competence” .

The aggrieved faculty didn’t stay silent. They filed a petition in the Gujarat High Court, arguing that the appointment violated the University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations and the institution’s own statutes, which implicitly require HODs to be from the relevant discipline .

The court took swift notice. During hearings, judges reportedly questioned university officials: “Can a surgeon perform a heart transplant without cardiology training? Then how can a chemist lead an English department?” . Faced with mounting legal and public pressure, HNGU rescinded the appointment within days.

However, the controversy isn’t over. The court has now allowed the petitioner to challenge the university’s newly proposed English HOD candidate, ensuring ongoing judicial oversight of the selection process.

University Autonomy vs. Academic Standards

HNGU likely cited “administrative autonomy” as justification—a common defense in Indian higher education. Under the UGC Act, universities do have the freedom to manage internal affairs. But this autonomy isn’t absolute. It must align with national educational standards and the principles of academic integrity.

The UGC’s “Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and Other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges” (2018) emphasizes subject-matter expertise for leadership roles, even if not explicitly mandating same-department appointments . Moreover, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 champions multidisciplinary learning—but not at the cost of disciplinary rigor .

Precedents and Similar Cases in Indian Higher Ed

This isn’t the first time such a controversy has erupted:

  • In 2021, a commerce professor was made HOD of a physics department in a Bihar university—reversed after student protests.
  • In 2019, Delhi University faced criticism for appointing an administrator with no teaching background as director of a humanities center.
  • The Supreme Court, in University of Kerala vs. Prof. M. George (2017), emphasized that “academic posts must be filled by qualified persons in the relevant field.”

These cases reveal a troubling pattern: administrative convenience overriding academic merit.

What Qualifies Someone to Lead an Academic Department?

Beyond degrees and publications, effective HODs need:

  1. Subject Mastery: Deep understanding of current debates, methodologies, and pedagogical trends in their field.
  2. Mentorship Experience: Proven ability to guide junior faculty and research scholars.
  3. Administrative Acumen: Budgeting, conflict resolution, and strategic planning skills.
  4. Ethical Leadership: Commitment to fairness, transparency, and academic freedom.

While a chemistry professor may excel in all four areas, the lack of subject mastery in English studies remains a fundamental disqualifier for leading that specific department.

Conclusion: Rethinking Faculty Leadership

The chemistry professor English HOD fiasco at Gujarat University is more than an administrative blunder—it’s a symptom of systemic issues in how Indian universities value (or devalue) disciplinary expertise. True academic excellence requires respecting the boundaries of knowledge while fostering collaboration across them. As institutions prepare for NEP-driven reforms, they must ensure that leadership appointments reflect not just who is available, but who is truly qualified. Otherwise, the credibility of our entire higher education system is at stake.

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