Ramesh Kumar Pandey, dean, faculty of science, has been named the new vice chancellor of Ranchi University following a formal notification from Raj Bhavan on Tuesday afternoon.

This apart, Raj Bhavan also appointed Satyanarayan Munda and Vijay Singh as pro vice chancellors of Sidho Kanhu Murmu University (Dumka) and Nilamber Pitamber University (Medininagar), respectively.

Pandey, who is also head of the post graduate department of Botany, has over 37 years of experience in teaching and research activities. He takes over Ranchi University after the tenure of L. N. Bhagat, whose term ended on January 31.

Pandey stressed on building better relations with students, something that is a necessity given the spate of dharnas, lockouts and protests that have been held by various student groups and teaching and non-teaching staff members.

'Improving relations with students and other stakeholders of the university will be one of my focus areas,' said Pandey during a brief interaction with reporters after taking charge in the afternoon.

A post doctoral fellow from University of Nottingham, UK, Pandey has over the years published several papers in national and international journals. After completing higher secondary from Jamshedpur's KMPM School, he finished his higher education till his PhD from Ranchi University.

So how does it feel to be the head of university where he has studied? 'It's a good feeling and I thank everyone who maintained faith in my abilities. I will try and fulfil my responsibilities to the best of my capabilities,' said Pandey.

Pandey has earlier served as the pro-vice chancellor of Nilamber Pitamber University (Medininagar) and was also director of Academic Staff College under Ranchi University.

On long-pending students' union elections at Ranchi University, the new vice chancellor promised to make it his priority. 'I will try to get student elections held as soon as possible. It is on my priority list. Other aspects include solving existing problems of staff members, improving academic ambience and plugging infrastructure gaps for the betterment of both students and the varsity,' he said.