University sources claimed on Wednesday (September 9, 2026) that the reconstitution was happening after a gap of 15 years. The Vice-Chancellor (V-C) is its chairperson, and the director of the council is the member secretary. There is one representative of the State government. The member representing the university Syndicate, three experts (one each representing industry, higher education, and technology), two professors from departments on the university campus, and three college principals, the other members, are nominated by the V-C.
The nominated members are A.K. Shahina Mol (Syndicate), Sheeba Veluthoor, CoreValleys Herbal Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Kozhikode; Shiby M. Thomas, Professor, Department of Economics, St. Joseph’s College, Devagiri, Kozhikode; C.K. Jaya, Principal, Calicut University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Tenhipalam, Malappuram; A.I. Yahya, Professor, Department of Chemistry; K.C. Chitra, Professor, Department of Zoology, University of Calicut; and the principals of SNGS College, Pattambi, Palakkad; St. Joseph’s College, Devagiri, Kozhikode; and MES Keveeyam College, Valanchery, Malappuram. The government nominee is yet to be appointed.
The sources said the council would provide advice on introducing industry-aligned, multidisciplinary and emerging career-oriented academic programmes and align institutional policies with national and global quality benchmarks. It would act as a continuous feedback loop and liaison between the university administration and affiliated colleges to streamline administrative, academic and examination processes.
It would mentor and guide affiliated colleges in achieving and scaling up research capabilities and securing national accreditation and facilitate collaborative resource-sharing mechanisms such as shared laboratories, faculty exchange programmes, and digital libraries among affiliated colleges and the university.
It could also offer advice on a data-driven review mechanism utilising institutional analytics to monitor enrolment trends, student success metrics, and infrastructural gaps across colleges. The council would try to bridge the gap between academia and corporate sectors through its industry experts to foster internships, placement pathways, consultancy opportunities, and incubation centres.
The first meeting of the reconstituted council has been scheduled for September 11. It would consider the detailed project report of Mission ASCENT (Advancing Standards for College Empowerment & Transformation), which aims to boost the academic and administrative standards of affiliated colleges.