The University of Madras staff, who have retired in the last five years, may receive their retirement dues soon. The issues of pending dues, among other issues, was discussed at the syndicate meeting on Tuesday.

A senior official of the University said that the higher education secretary who participated informed about the situation.

“He has advised the University to provide the details of the funds requirement and what the University had done to meet the audit objections.  Based on the University’s response, he would convey the institution’s request to the Finance department,” the official said.

A source said the dues of over 100 teaching and non-teaching staff are pending.

New Courses

The University is planning to introduce MSc digital media and science and MSc digital marketing and a few other courses in Commerce in the 2023-24 academic year.

Courses in artificial intelligence and data science are also being discussed. “We have time till month-end when the academic council meeting will be held. There are requests to launch several courses including computer science,” the official said.

As many as four managements have shown interest to start new arts and science colleges but it depends on the colleges qualifying the inspection requirements, he added.

The University has already started the inspection process.