Former principal of Magadh Mahila College Dolly Sinha took charge as the new dean of students' welfare at Patna University on Wednesday.

The post has been vacant since December 31, after acting dean Jayanti Sircar retired.

University registrar Sanjay Sinha said: "The university has appointed Dolly Sinha, former principal of Magadh Mahila College as the new dean of students' welfare."

"My first priority will be to restart the sports activities and cultural events for the students. These have been on hold here for a long time," the new dean told The Telegraph.

Sources said Dolly is considered a tough administrator who as principal of Magadh Mahila College had undertaken various initiatives to improve the academic atmosphere. It was during her tenure that the college received an A grade from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council in 2013.

Students seemed happy with the appointment. "It is good that the university has finally appointed a new dean of students' welfare. Students will be able to approach her with their problems instead of running around to different places," said Yogesh Chandra, a student of Patna College.

Sources said Dolly's task will not be easy as various student groups have been protesting on the campus for their demands.

"A protest starts at the dean's office whenever students have any demand," said a senior teacher at the university on condition of anonymity. According to university sources, students had beaten up the then dean of students' welfare, K.N. Paswan, on Patna Collegecampus in June 2014. The college administration had lodged an FIR against some students.

The other task for the new dean will be to balance her two jobs - that of the dean and as a teacher of the Physics department. Sources said many teachers left their jobs after serving in additional university positions along with their teaching jobs because of the workload.