Gujarat University’s next VC appointment hits delay

Ahmedabad: With the tenure of Gujarat University (GU) vice-chancellor Neerja Gupta ending on June 30, uncertainty has emerged over the timely appointment of her successor, as the state govt is yet to initiate the process of inviting applications despite constituting a search committee.The education department on June 9 announced a three-member search committee under the provisions of the new Gujarat Public Universities Act to identify candidates for the post of VC. The panel comprises Mahesh Chhabria, principal of LM College of Pharmacy; Ashok Mondal, director of the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad; and Sukumar Mishra, director of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, who was nominated by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

The GU registrar has been entrusted with coordinating administrative procedures and placing eligible names before the committee.However, official sources said that no notification has been issued so far to invite applications from eligible academicians across the country. The selection process, which involves scrutiny of applications, interaction with shortlisted candidates and preparation of a panel of three names to be submitted to the Governor, generally requires at least one to one-and-a-half months.

With barely two weeks left before Gupta’s term concludes, officials believe it is unlikely that a new full-time VC will be appointed before June 30.There is also speculation in academic circles that Gupta may be given an extension to ensure administrative continuity until the appointment process is completed.