(a) to provide for instructions in such branches of learning as the University may think fit, subject to concurrence of Government and to make provision for research and for the advancement and dissemination of knowledge;
(b) to hold examinations and to grant to, and confer degrees and other academic distinctions on, persons who, :
(i) have passed a course of study in or prescribed by the University; or
(ii) are teachers in educational institutions under conditions laid down in the Ordinances and Regulations and have passed the examination of the University under like conditions;
(c) to run a Higher Secondary section in the University under mentorship scheme of the State Government which will, to some extent, act as a feeder to the undergraduate courses of the University and for all practical purposes, the Higher Secondary section shall be a part of the University;
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(d) to continue the existing syllabi and evaluation of students of the Higher Secondary section under the jurisdiction of the Assam Higher Secondary Education Council as at present until such times as the University deems it fit to review and do the needful;
(e) to confer honorary degrees or other distinctions;
(f) to grant such diplomas and to provide such lectures and instructions for, persons not being members of the University, as the university may determine;
(g) to withdraw or cancel Degrees, Diplomas, Certificates or other distinctions conferred by following the procedures;
(h) to institute any Professorship, Associate Professorship, Assistant Professorship and any other teaching posts required by the University;
(i) to appoint and recognise persons as Professors, Associate Professors, Assistant Professors as teachers of the University;
(j) to adopt colleges and introduce new courses of study;
(k) to maintain Hostels and Halls;
(l) to demand and receive payments of such fees as may be fixed as per the Ordinances;
(m) to receive grants from State and Central Government, University Grants Commission and any Private or Central Government agencies, as per rules;
(n) to purchase property, to maintain Bank Accounts in the name of the University;
(o) to institute for the benefit of its members such pension, provident fund as the University may deem fit;
(p) to enter into contract with any other recognised institution for the purpose of transfer of technology on well defined terms and conditions to raise funds for the University or for technical collaboration;
(q) to provide for printing, reproduction and publication of research activities;
(r) to do all other activities whether incidental to the powers aforesaid or not as may be requisite in order to further the objects of the University.
Chancellor. 8. The Governor of Assam shall be the Chancellor of the University.
5 Powers and duties of Chancellor.
9. (1) The Chancellor shall have the power to cause an inspection to be made by such person or persons as he may direct, the University, its buildings, laboratories and equipments and of every institution maintained by the University and also of the examinations, teaching and other work conducted or done by the University and to cause an enquiry to be made in like manner in respect of any matter connected with the University.
(2) The Chancellor shall in every such case, give notice to the Executive Council of his intention to cause an inspection or enquiry to be made and the Executive Council shall be entitled to appoint a representative who shall have the right to be present and be heard at such inspection or enquiry.
(3) The Chancellor may address the Vice-Chancellor with reference to the result of such inspection and enquiry and the Vice-Chancellor shall communicate to the Executive Council the views of the Chancellor with such advice as the Chancellor may offer upon the action to be taken thereon.
(4) The Executive Council shall communicate through the vice- Chancellor to the Chancellor such action, if any, as it is proposed to take or has been taken upon the result of such inspection or enquiry.
(5) When the Executive Council does not within a reasonable time, take action to the satisfaction of the Chancellor, the Chancellor may, after considering any explanation furnished or representation made by Executive Council issue such directions as he may think fit and the Executive Council shall be bound to comply with such directions.
(6) Expenses that may be incurred in connection with such inspection or enquiry and certified as such by the Chancellor shall be a charge on the University.
(7) The Chancellor shall have such other powers as may be conferred on him by or under the provisions of this Act.
(8) The Chancellor as head of the University shall have the power to suspend the activities of the various authorities of the University as and when circumstances so demand and vest all powers and functions of these authorities in his own hand or to control the affairs of the authority or authorities so suspended in such manner and for such a period as deemed fit and reasonable by him.
University to be Open to all.
10. The University shall be open to all irrespective of gender, race , religion, caste or creed and it shall not be lawful for the University to adopt or impose on any person any test whatsoever of religious belief or profession in order to entitle him to be admitted thereto as a teacher or as a student or to hold any office therein, or to graduate or to enjoy or exercise any particular benefaction accepted by the University, where such test is made a condition thereof by any testamentary or other instrument creating such benefaction.
6 Jurisdiction. 11. The jurisdiction of the Cotton University shall extend throughout the State of Assam.
Vice- Chancellor.
12. (1) The Vice-Chancellor shall be appointed by the Chancellor on the recommendation of an Advisory Board constituted by the Chancellor for the purpose and consisting of three members of whom one member shall be elected by the Executive Council, one member shall be nominated by the State Government and one member shall be nominated by the Chancellor. The Chancellor shall appoint one of them as Chairman of the Advisory Board.
(2) The Advisory Board shall recommend a panel of names of three persons to the Chancellor who may appoint one of the persons recommended to be Vice- Chancellor. If the Chancellor does not approve any of the person recommended by the Advisory Board, he may call for a fresh recommendation.
(3) The Vice-Chancellor shall be a whole time officer of the University who shall hold office for a period of five years and shall be eligible for re-appointment.
(4) The Vice-Chancellor shall retire on the date he attains the age of 70 years subject to the provision of subsection (3).
(5) Whenever there is any temporary vacancy in the Office of the Vice- Chancellor by reasons for leave, illness or other causes, the Chancellor shall make such other arrangements as he may think fit for exercising the powers and performing the duties of the Vice- Chancellor during the absence.
(6) The emoluments and other terms and conditions of service of the Vice- Chancellor shall be determined by the Chancellor, provided that the salary of the Vice-Chancellor shall not be less than Rs. 75000/- per month, as revised from time to time and all other allowances as are admissible under relevant rules.
Powers and duties of Vice- Chancellor.
13. (1) The Vice-Chancellor shall be the principal executive and academic officer of the University, and shall, in the absence of the Chancellor, preside at meetings of the Court and any convocation of the University. He shall be an ex-officio member and Chairman of the Executive Council, the Standing Finance Committee, the Construction Committee, and of the Academic Council and shall be entitled to be present and to speak at any meeting of any authority or other body of the University. When present, he shall preside over all such meetings.
(2) It shall be the duty of the Vice-Chancellor to ensure that the provisions of this Act, the Statutes, the Ordinances and the Regulations are faithfully observed.
(3) The Vice-Chancellor shall have power to convene meetings of the Court, the Executive Council, the Academic Council, the Finance Committee, and the Construction Committee.
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(4) In any emergency which, in the opinion of the Vice-Chancellor, requires that immediate action should be taken, the Vice-Chancellor shall take such action as he deems necessary, and shall at the earliest opportunity thereafter report his action to the officer, authority or other body who or which in the ordinary course, would have dealt with the matter.
(5) When any such action taken by the Vice-Chancellor affects any person in the service of the University, such person shall be entitled to prefer an appeal to the Executive Council through the officer, authority or other body of the University within thirty days from the date on which such action is communicated to him.
(6) The Vice-Chancellor shall give effect to any order of the Executive Council regarding the appointment, dismissal or suspension of an officer or a teacher of the University or regarding the recognition or withdrawal of the recognition of any such teacher and shall exercise general control in the University. He shall be responsible for maintenance of the discipline of the University.
(7) The Vice-Chancellor shall exercise such other powers as may be prescribed by the Statutes and Ordinances.
Pro-Vice Chancellor.
14. (1) There may be one Pro-Vice Chancellor, who shall be appointed by the Vice Chancellor, under intimation to the Chancellor, from amongst the Professors of the University or any other Higher Education Institution (HEI) for a period of three years.
(2) The appointment is co-terminus with the term of the Vice Chancellor.
(3) The Pro-Vice Chancellor shall take up the responsibilities assigned to him by the Vice Chancellor.
(4) The Pro-Vice Chancellor shall be a member of all the statutory bodies.
Additional Allowance to Pro-Vice Chancellor.
15. The Pro-Vice Chancellor shall be entitled to an additional allowance of Rupees Five Thousand (Rs. 5,000/-) only per month during the tenure.
Registrar. 16. (1) The Registrar shall be a whole time salaried officer of the University and shall be appointed by the Executive Council on such terms conditions and remunerations as may be prescribed.
(2) The term of the Registrar shall be for five years but he may be eligible for reappointment.
(3) The Registrar shall be the Ex-officio Secretary, of the Court, Executive Council and of the Construction Committee, provided that, notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the Executive Council may, either for special purpose or 8 in general, appoint any other officer of the University as Secretary. All communications in general shall be addressed to and on behalf of the University and shall be received by the Registrar.
Powers and duties of The Registrar.