Odisha to appoint 13 New University Vice-Chancellors after Three-Year Freeze

After a three-year hiatus, the Odisha government has finally opened the gates for new leadership for its state-owned universities. In a significant move, the Higher Education Department on Wednesday announced 13 vice-chancellor (V-C) positions vacant and called for applications from eligible academicians nationwide.

This is after the instant enactment of the Odisha University (Amendment) Act, 2024 that supplants the controversial 2020 edition that had been stayed by the Supreme Court for violating UGC norms. With the legal hurdle now removed, the process of ushering in a new generation of academic leaders is officially open.

"This is a great leap forward," State Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said. "Universities will have a systemized calendar for appointments for V-Cs and not wait for an incumbent to retire before taking decisions on the next boss."

Such universities are among the top ones like Utkal University, Ravenshaw University, Gangadhar Meher University, Fakir Mohan University, and Rama Devi Women's University, etc. Some of these have been running on an interim basis or with the help of senior professors in order to ensure administrative continuity.

Until recently, appointment delays had seen fundamental institutions either roll over retiring V-Cs' terms or redistribute duties to the heads of neighboring universities. However, with the new Act, universities can now advertise vacancies four months prior to when they intend to fill them, providing smoother handovers and unbroken academic leadership.

The Odisha Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2024, cleared in April following a 12-hour Assembly debate, will introduce more transparency and regularity in the state's higher education administration. With applications now welcome, Odisha's university system is on the verge of a long-pending leadership renewal.