Bhubaneswar, March 19: The process for selection of the post of the vice-chancellor of Utkal University has gained momentum with the constitution of formation of the search-cum-selection committee.

Process is also under way for the selection of vice chancellors of the Fakir Mohan University and North Odisha University. Their present VCs will also retire in May this year.

The three-member committee consists of — R.K. Chauhan (former UGC secretary), Dinesh Singh (VC, Delhi University) and Kailash Chandra Mishra (VC, Sri Sri University). The tenure of present vice-chancellor P.K. Sahoo will end in the first week of May.

The varsity, in its public notice for the appointment has invited applications from interested candidates.

People can send online applications at the university’s site — vcapplications@utkaluniversity.ac.in by April 9.

The committee, after scrutinising the list, will recommend three names to the chancellor of universities and governor S.C. Jamir. The chancellor will interview the three and select the candidate.

While a good number of professors from the Utkal University are keen to occupy the coveted post, the authorities expect candidates from different universities and institutes applying for the post. Last time, it had received applications from academics from many universities including the Jawaharlal Nehru University, Central University, Hyderabad and Delhi University.

An applicant should have a minimum of 10 years experience as a professor in a university system or 10 years of experience in an equivalent position in a reputed research and/or academic administrative organisation.

“At times the criteria of ‘a minimum of 10 years of experience’ is omitted in advertisements apparently to favour particular candidates but it has not been so in the case of Utkal University advertisement,” said registrar of the university Banani Mohanty adding the UGC guidelines clearly mentions that the person to be appointed as a VC must have the highest level of competence, integrity, moral and institutional commitment.

In a related development Orissa High Court today stayed the appointment of any new postgraduate council chairman of Utkal University.

The chancellor’s office had on Thursday cancelled the appointment of the previous postgraduate council chairman professor J.K. Panda, following which he had approached the court.

Panda’s appointment was dragged into controversy after the University Teacher’s Association had alleged that senior professors were ignored while appointing Panda for the post. Geography professor G.K. Panda was in the meantime in charge of the post of postgraduate council chairman.