Bhubaneswar, Feb. 17: The race for the post of Biju Patnaik University of Technology's vice-chancellor has gained momentum with the formation of the search-cum-selection committee.
The three-member committee comprises of former All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) chairman S.S. Mantha, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) vice-chancellor Manoranjan Kar and National Institute of Science Education and Research (Niser) chairman V. Chandrasekhar.
The vice-chancellor will be appointed by the chancellor of the university, governor S.C. Jamir from the three short-listed names recommended by the search-cum-selection committee constituted for this purpose.
The outgoing BPUT vice-chancellor J. K. Sathpathy's term ended on February 15 following which the position has been lying vacant.
As per the advertisement published by the varsity, the new vice-chancellor will hold office for a term of five years from the date on which heshe enters office or till the age of 65, whichever is earlier. The applicant should have a minimum 10 years experience as professor in a university system or 10 years of experience in an equivalent position in a reputed research andor academic or administrative organisation.
The advertisement also mentioned that the candidates should have sound administrative acumen, besides being an eminent technical education expert. Heshe must be a person with integrity, vision and foresight to lead the university to heights of academic as well as technical excellence.
Sources said that at least 16 applicants have applied for the post. The first meeting of the search-cum-selection committee was held on February 6 where the qualifications and experience of the candidates were crosschecked.
The next meeting is scheduled on February 23 when the candidates will be interviewed on their plans for BPUT, their research works and publications.
A good number of professors from various technical universities are vying for the coveted post and there have been at least 10 applications from outside the state, sources in the technical education department said.
