Patna, Aug. 17: The choice of Patna Science College principal Jagannath Thakur as the new vice-chancellor of Patna University has finally put an end to a fortnight of uncertainty and rumours in the capital’s academic world.

Jha’s choice was widely appreciated by the city’s academicians and university employees, who thanked the Chancellor and Governor M. Rama Jois for the “surprise” gift. For Jha, who assumed office yesterday afternoon, the first day in office was an occasion to instil hopes of a revival of the once-prestigious university in the minds of all concerned.

“I will try my best to retrieve the past glory by streamlining the education and examination system with focus on discipline,” Thakur said soon after taking charge. He replaced K.K. Jha, who retired on July 31.

To show that he is sensitive to the problems of university employees, the new boss decided to pass orders for the release of pending salaries for the past month.

Jha, a Fulbright scholar and an eminent scientist, also met other university officials and employees and sought their cooperation in “putting things in order”.

Earlier, Governor Jois had appointed two noted academicians to the post of vice-chancellor. But both the appointments were later cancelled.

The first choice, Patna Women’s College principal Sister Doris D’Souza, could not take up the post presumably due to differences of opinion within the religious order, which runs the institution.

After she declined the offer, the Governor appointed Benaras Hindu University law professor D.P. Verma, a Patna University alumnus, as the new vice-chancellor on August 11. He reportedly accepted the offer but later withdrew because his eligibility had come under the scanner.

Thakur said he was “genuinely” committed to ensuring the university’s all-round development. “I am aware of the basic problems here. Faculty crisis is our biggest hurdle. So many posts remain vacant — maybe I will have to do something to expedite the process of filling them up,” he remarked.

“Our university’s financial system is perhaps more complicated than its educational structure. I need time to understand this,” he said. Improving the university’s standards is not possible for a single person, he added and sought the help of others.

In a move that could ease his burden, the Bihar government today decided to revise the payscale of the nearly 33,000 non-teaching staff of the state’s 10 universities and their numerous constituent colleges from August 1997.