IT WAS a welcome relief for the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences on Friday. Noted neurosurgeon Prof AK Mahapatra took over as the new director of the institute.
And, for a change, the recent row over the order to suspend two faculty members seemed to recede into the background. Rather, the faculty was upbeat about Dr Mahapatra steering the PGI ship, in view of his reputation for excellence in teaching, surgery and research.
His assumption of charge also put an end to speculation about whether he would actually take up the job.
Dr Mahapatra’s predecessor Dr Kartar Singh’s three-year term ended on August 11.
Governor TV Rajeswar had announced Dr Mahapatra’s name as the new director on August 14. A few days later, the government had announced that the new director would join in a month’s time, as he had prior assignments at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, where he was head of the Department of Neurosurgery.
Prof Mahapatra refused to make any comments. Throughout the day, he met HoDs, faculty members, administrative officers and others.
{{/usCountry}}Prof Mahapatra refused to make any comments. Throughout the day, he met HoDs, faculty members, administrative officers and others.
{{/usCountry}}He has worked in a neuro-oncology lab at the National Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London. He is also a life member of the New York Academy of Sciences.