The search-cum-selection committee constituted to recommend candidates for the appointment of Panjab University’s next vice-chancellor (V-C) has forwarded five shortlisted names to Vice President of CP Radhakrishnan, who is the varsity’s Chancellor, after completing interaction rounds with candidates over two days.
Of the 28 candidates who had expressed interest in the post, 25 appeared before the committee for interactions held on July 3 and July 4. The candidates included serving V-Cs and senior academicians from PU as well as institutions across the country. According to officials, the Chancellor is now expected to either hold interactions with the five shortlisted candidates before taking a final decision or make the appointment based on the committee’s recommendations. The final decision rests with the Chancellor.
The three member search-cum-selection committee is chaired by Lt. Gen Madhuri Kanitkar, the V-C of Maharashtra University of Health Sciences. The other members are Shashikala Wanjari, the V-C of the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), New Delhi, and Vibha Tandon, director of the CSIR Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata.
Incumbent V-C Renu Vig’s three-year term had ended on March 28, following which she was granted a four-month extension by the Chancellor. Her extended term is set to end later this month.
{{/usCountry}}Incumbent V-C Renu Vig’s three-year term had ended on March 28, following which she was granted a four-month extension by the Chancellor. Her extended term is set to end later this month.
{{/usCountry}}In the reckoning
While the names recommended by the committee have not been officially disclosed, officials said several candidates have figured prominently in discussions during the selection process. These include incumbent V-C Vig, Tankeshwar Kumar, the V-C of Central University of Haryana, SP Bansal, the V-C of Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Suresh Sharma, the V-C of Shaheed Bhagat Singh State University, Rajat Sandhir, professor at PU’s department of biotechnology, and Rakesh Sharda of Punjab Agricultural University.