KU VC Hunt: Search committee recommends probables to Chancellor

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Srinagar: A high-level committee tasked with finding a Vice-Chancellor for the University of Kashmir has submitted its nominations to the varsity’s Chancellor, Governor N N Vohra.
Informed sources said the search committee headed by eminent chemist Prof Goverdhan Mehta has submitted a panel of three academics to Vohra after completing the multi-tier process of selection that includes calling for CVs from eligible academics, short-listing distinguished ones among these on the basis of their academic and administrative credentials, and then holding a detailed interaction with them.
The Chancellor will now, according to sources, consult the Pro-Chancellor—the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah—to take a joint decision on selection of the Vice-Chancellor among the panel of three probables. “The final decision on the Vice Chancellor is expected in next few days,” the sources disclosed.
While it is confidential who the nominations are, speculations are making rounds that two academics from outside-the-state and one from Kashmir have made it in the final panel. “The final panel happens to comprise academics who have credentials at par with each other in terms of academics, research and administration,” said a source. “The final decision rests with the Chancellor and the Pro-Chancellor.”
At least 40 professors had applied for the Vice-Chancellorship from different academic and research institutions from within and outside the State. Of these, the sources said, the Search Committee shortlisted 11 candidates after examining their CVs and holding deliberations with academics, officers and students on the campus. The shortlisted 11 candidates later gave a detailed presentation before the Search Committee in New Delhi on August 23 following which it submitted a panel of three probables to the Chancellor. Pertinently, the Chancellor’s Office—Raj Bhawan—formed the Committee in June this year after the former Kashmir University Vice Chancellor Prof Talat Ahmad opted to join the Jamia Millia Islamia University in New Delhi despite the Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor granting him three-year extension as the KU Vice-Chancellor and that too three months ahead of the completion of his first term which was to expire in June 2014.
Prof Talat’s exit not only left the Chancellor and the Pro-Chancellor in an uncomfortable situation, it triggered a debate in the academic, political and social circles in Kashmir that the outside Vice-Chancellors are using the varsity “as a launching pad for their upward movement than contributing to its growth and development.”
Even the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said Prof Talat preferred ‘greener pastures’ of Jamia Millia Islamia. “We had extended his term, but he preferred greener pastures,” Omar had said in a function here.

Author
Mudasir Yaqoob

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