Shimla: With there being more than 55 aspirants for the Vice-chancellors (VC) position falling vacant at Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), a government select committee sits down to shortlist the candidates on Friday for filling the slot.
In a departure from earlier practices, the government in consultation with Governor Urmila Singh, who happens to be the HPU chancellor, put out a public notice for attracting talent with administrative abilities to run the affairs of the institution.
Applications closed on Tuesday,†said Srikant Baldi, principal secretary education.
“We have received more than 55 applications which will be scrutinized a three member select committee headed by chief secretary Rajwant Sandhu,†he said.
The committee has been set up on directions from Chancellor Urmila Singh asking the government to suggest a suitable candidate for the state university. Other members on board include secretary to the governor JP Singh and VC of Central University Furquan Qamar.
Sources disclosed that the committee was likely to zero down on a panel of three names, which would be suggested as suitable candidates to the chancellor.
However, the final say in the matter would lie with the Governor. Appointment of the new vice-chancellor is expected to be announced within the month, the source said.
Not satisfied with current VC Sunil Gupta’s performance over a three year term the government decided not to give extension for another term even though there was intense lobbying.
Vice-chancellor Gupta’s term expired on April 9 but he was asked to continue till a new VC takes over.
Besides there being many applicants from outside the state, there are a number of candidates from within the existing faculty of HPU in the fray, sources privy to the developments disclosed.
HPU remains a hotbed for politics and with the government heading into election year, containing students and employee agitations as well as orienting the institution toward academic excellence would remain a challenge before the next VC of the 4 decade old university.
As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads the team of media professionals at Hill Post.
In a career spanning over two decades through all formats of journalism in Electronic, Print and Online Media, he brings with him enough experience to steer this platform. He lives in Shimla.
