Bhubaneswar: Governor Raghubar Das has asked the higher education department to speed up appointing vice-chancellors (VC) for three universities in the state. The tenure of VCs of Utkal University, Rama Devi University and Gangadhar Meher University will get over by this month-end.
According to the letter issued on November 8 by the governor, who is also the chancellor of state-run universities, to higher education secretary, the process of selecting new vice-chancellors was initiated as per the provisions of the Odisha University Act, 1989. "As per the kind orders of the chancellor, the commissioner-cum-secretary of the higher education department was requested to issue an advertisement and invite applications for the post of vice-chancellors as convenors of the selection committee," the letter read.
The letter further stated that the process of selection is still pending at the level of the higher education department. Due to the delay in the selection process, the vacancy in the post of vice-chancellor of universities functioning under the Odisha Universities Act, 1989, is being managed by in-charge vice-chancellors to manage the administration of the respective universities.
Development and academic activities of universities are often affected in the absence of vice-chancellors, sources said. "Under the circumstances, it is requested to expedite the process of selecting new vice-chancellors in the greater interest of the state public universities," the letter added.
Despite repeated attempts to contact Aravind Agrawal, the commissioner-cum-secretary of higher education department, he was not available for a comment.
Currently, Sabita Acharya, Aparajita Chowdhury and N Nagaraju are serving as vice-chancellors of Utkal University and Rama Devi Women's University in Bhubaneswar, and Gangadhar Meher University in Sambalpur, respectively. Utkal University, the oldest university in the state, has a significant research output. RDU, dedicated to women's education, has been instrumental in promoting gender equality in higher education. GMU serves the western Odisha region with distinctive academic programmes.
"The higher education department must ensure transparency and merit-based selection in the appointment process. This includes thorough scrutiny of candidates' credentials, their past administrative experience and their potential to lead these institutions effectively," said a senior professor of Utkal University, requesting anonymity.