The long-running deadlock between the Kerala Chief Minister and the Governor over vice chancellor appointments has been resolved, paving the way for key leadership changes in the state’s higher education institutions. On December 17, 2025, the state government finalised the appointment of Ciza Thomas as Vice Chancellor of Kerala Technological University (KTU) and Saji Gopinath as Vice Chancellor of Digital University Kerala.
The decision follows a truce between the Raj Bhavan and the state government after the dispute over university appointments had escalated to the Supreme Court, drawing national attention to the governance of higher education institutions in Kerala.
Both appointments have been made for a fixed tenure of four years, bringing clarity and stability to the administration of the two universities. Official sources indicated that the resolution was achieved through mutual consultations, aimed at ensuring continuity in academic governance and institutional functioning.
The appointments are expected to enable both universities to refocus on academic reforms, research priorities, and digital education initiatives, while also reinforcing governance mechanisms within Kerala’s higher education ecosystem.
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The resolution marks a significant step towards restoring institutional harmony and strengthening leadership across state-run universities, following months of administrative uncertainty.
