Senior chemistry teacher of Patna Science College Ram Jatan Sinha will be the new principal of the institution and will take charge on Thursday.
Ram Jatan will take over from Upendra Kishore Sinha, who retired from the college on Wednesday after serving as principal for two years and eight months.
However, Ram Jatan's tenure as principal of Patna Science College, established in 1927, will be very short. He will serve the college for only one month as he is due to retire on September 30.
Patna University pro vice-chancellor R.K. Verma said: "Ram Jatan Sinha was chosen as the next principal of Patna Science College based on his seniority. Sinha is the senior most teacher of the college."
According to Patna University sources, seniority is the basis on which a teacher is appointed as principal of any institution. Therefore, after Ram Jatan retires, M.N. Sinha, at present the postgraduate head of the geology department, will take charge as principal of Patna Science College on October 1. However, M.N. Sinha's tenure too will be short as he is set to retire on January 31 next year. The college on Wednesday arranged a small farewell party for U.K. Sinha on the campus. Patna Science College had been his alma mater as well: U.K. Sinha had joined the institution as a student in 1964. He joined the college as lecturer (now designated assistant professor) in 1972.
"It is a moment of pride for me that I am retiring from the institution where I studied, became teacher and then principal. I have seen the ups and downs of the college," said U.K. Sinha.
A senior botany teacher of Patna University, UK Sinha has carried out research work at Patna University and also presented papers at different foreign universities.
In March 2013, he was appointed in-charge vice-chancellor of Patna University for a brief period of about one-and-a-half months. In 2014, he was appointed principal of Patna Science College.
"During my tenure as principal of Patna Science College, I ensured that classes are held regularly. My focus was on teaching that attracts students to classes," he said.
During the tenure of UK Sinha, renovation work was undertaken at Patna Science College. Local MP Shatrughan Sinha had provided a sum of Rs 35 lakh for repair and renovation of roads on the college campus.
