Bhubaneswar: The tenures of the vice-chancellors of five state-run universities in Odisha have been extended till November 30, said an official statement from the Raj Bhawan.
The statement has made it clear that along with the extension of tenures of the five vice-chancellors, the tenure of the vice-chancellor of North Odisha University though will end on November 30.
According to the communiqué, the vice-chancellors of Utkal University, Fakir Mohan University, Gangadhar Meher University, Khallikote Unitary University and Rama Devi Women’s University will remain in office till November 30. However, as the tenure of vice-chancellor of North Odisha University expires on November 30 in the first phase extension, there will be no further extension of his tenure this time.
The decision has been taken to complete the tenure of these six vice-chancellors on the same date for the appointment of the new vice-chancellors by December 1.
The statement further said that such extension of tenure is being accorded with a stipulation that no policy decisions shall be made or any recruitment for teaching or non-teaching posts shall be undertaken by the incumbent vice-chancellor concerned without the prior approval of the Chancellor of Universities.
It may be mentioned that the tenure of the Khallikote Unitary University VC Amarendra Narayan Mishra has ended on July 13, followed by Padmaja Mishra of Rama Devi Women’s University on July 14, Atanu Kumar Pati of Gangadhar Meher University on July 25, Soumendra Mohan Patnaik of Utkal University on July 31, Madhumita Das of Fakir Mohan University on August 1 Pradeep Kumar Chand of North Odisha University on August 31.
The Higher Education department had recommended to the Governor and Chancellor of Universities for extension of the tenures of the vice-chancellors of the six universities in the exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (8) of section 6 of the Odisha Universities Act, 1989. The department wanted extension for a period of three months from the date of completion of their respective tenures or till the joining of the newly appointed vice-chancellors, whichever is earlier.
Meanwhile, taking note of the delay in the selection of the new vice-chancellors, the Governor had a two-hour-long meeting with the chairmen of the six search committees on Tuesday and sought their opinion on whether the viva-voce of the new vice-chancellors will be done offline or online in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
