Academics vying for the posts of vice-chancellor and pro- vice-chancellor in Bihar universities would have to submit a vision document on the institution’s growth, before they are considered for the coveted ranks.

Search committees constituted by the state government will assess the vision document of the applicants before finalising the VCs and the pro-VCs. There would be separate search committees for the 11 universities.

On Monday, the Raj Bhavan issued an advertisement for the appointment of VCs and pro-VCs for the 11 universities. Principal secretary, education, Amarjeet Sinha said: “This is the first time that VCs and pro-VCs would be appointed in the state through open advertisement in national newspapers. The idea behind this is to bring transparency in the appointment process of VCs and pro-VCs.”

Sinha added that the vision documents of the candidates would give an overview on how they want to develop the university academically and administratively.

A candidate vying for the post of VC or the pro-VC has to present his views on new and popular courses, how he/she would manage the academic calendar of the university, how seminars and symposiums would help better the students among others.

On the administrative front, a candidate can give his/her views on how to deal with the day-to-day problems the universities face because of protests from students, teachers and non-teaching employees, a know-how on students’ problems related to hostels, library and others.

A search committee would comprise three members — two would be appointed by the Raj Bhavan and one by the state government. The state has finalised the names of the government nominees for three universities. The chancellor would appoint the chairman of the committee. The chairman should be a renowned scholar or a Padma awardee. The Raj Bhavan would also appoint the second member of the search panel. The person should be a director or head of a nationally acclaimed institution such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) and Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

The search committees have been appointed on the recommendations of the University Grants Commission.

Sinha added that the search committees are looking for people having high academic standard with more than 10 years’ experience. Those having experience in administrative jobs will be given preference for the post of VCs. To bring transparency in appointment of VCs, the advertisement also states that canvassing directly or indirectly by or on behalf of any candidate to bring undue influence upon the selection process shall attract disqualification.