13 State Universities Move Closer to Getting New Vice-Chancellors After Prolonged Delay

Eight months after the higher education department initiated the process to appoint vice-chancellors to 13 state-run universities, the verification of credentials of shortlisted candidates is underway, officials said.

Following the enactment of the Odisha University (Amendment) Act, 2024, after the governor’s approval on April 12 last year, the department on June 3 invited applications from distinguished and eligible academics for VC posts in 13 public universities functioning without regular heads. While some existing VCs are on extension for six months, some universities are being managed by the senior-most professors as in-charge VCs.

According to official records, nearly 350 applications were received for the VC posts. Subsequently, governor and chancellor of universities, Hari Babu Kambhampati, told media persons that scrutiny of the applications began immediately and that the recruitment process would be completed within two-three months.

Under the new norms, a three-member selection committee comprising eminent educationists is required to be constituted for each university to shortlist candidates for the VC post, with the final appointment subject to approval from the governor. An official said that the selection committees constituted for the 13 universities have already shortlisted candidates for the VC posts and forwarded the panel of names to the state government. "Appointments will be made after completion of the verification process and approval of the governor, " the official said, adding that VC appointments will lead to faculty recruitment in the universities.

The delay seems to have been caused at a time when state universities are facing acute staff shortage, with nearly 2117 faculty posts, professors, associate professors and assistant professors, and about 2500 non teaching vacancies.

BJD members on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to the governor, highlighting the vacancies and urging that the VC recruitment process be completed by the end of Feb. They warned of statewide agitations if the appointments are not finalized within the stipulated time frame.

BJD MLA and former higher education minister Arun Sahoo said that even after 18 months of a BJP govt in Odisha, the state has failed to appoint full time VCs in public universities. He accused the VCs of not having recruitment and financial powers, which is seriously hampering the academic and administrative functioning of the universities.