Bhubaneswar, May 20: Sociologist Debendra Nath Jena was today appointed as vice-chancellor (V-C) of Utkal University of Culture here.

The post had been lying vacant after the tenure of professor. Culture secretary Ashok Tripathy has been holding the additional charge of V-C. Reacting to the news, Jena, former registrar of Utkal University, said filling vacant teaching posts and infrastructure development topped his priority list.

“I will prepare an agenda and submit it to the state government for approval,” he said, adding that he was also looking into the completion of the university’s permanent campus at Madanpur on the outskirts of the city.

Around 26 applicants, mostly faculty members from the state varsity, and some outsiders, had applied for the top post at the culture university.

A three-member search-cum-selection committee including parliamentarian Kapila Vatsyayana, former Sambalpur University V-C and Odissi dancer Priyambada Mohanty Hejmadi and litterateur Sitakant Mohapatra had shortlisted three candidates.

Chairman of the State Council for Educational Research and Training Nihar Ranjan Patnaik, and professor of ancient history at Utkal University Sadasiba Pradhan were also in the race for the post.