Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has received applications from 342 academics for 13 vice-chancellor posts advertised by the Higher Education Department for 13 state-run universities.
According to official sources, scrutiny of the applications is underway.
With the Odisha University (Amendment) Act, 2024 coming into force, the department invited applications on June 3 for the V-C posts, which are either vacant and being managed by in-charge V-Cs, or those which will be vacant in the next three to four months, with a submission deadline of July 15. The applicants could apply for multiple universities, listing their preferences.
The institutions include Utkal University, Ravenshaw University (Cuttack), Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanjadeo University (Baripada), Gangadhar Meher University (Sambalpur), Fakir Mohan University (Balasore), Khallikote Unitary University (Berhampur), Shree Jagannath Sanskrit University (Puri), Rama Devi Women’s University, Rajendra University (Balangir), Dharanidhar University (Keonjhar), Vikram Dev University (Jeypore), Madhusudan Law University (Cuttack), and Maa Manikeshwari University (Kalahandi).
Sources further stated that Utkal and Ravenshaw have emerged as the most popular choices.
The shortlisted candidates will be called for an interview before a three-member selection committee for which the venue and schedule will soon be announced. Interviews will be held separately for each university.
According to the new Act, the committee recommends three names for each university to the Chancellor of the Universities, who will then select a VC for each university after holding interviews. The process will be completed within three months, the sources added.
The tenure of the V-C will be four years from the date he/she assumes office or till he/she attains 70 years of age.
Notably, new V-C will be appointed to the state universities after a gap of three years. The process was stalled in May 2022 following a stay on the Odisha University (Amendment) Act, 2020 by the Supreme Court since the law formulated by the previous BJD government violated the University Grants Commission’s guidelines on V-C appointment.