Bhubaneswar, May 2: As the selection process for the vice-chancellor of Utkal University could not be over, revenue divisional commissioner (central) S.K. Vashishth was asked to take charge.

On the other hand, Prafulla Kumar Mishra was appointed as the vice-chancellor of North Odisha University. At present, Mishra is holding the post of director, National Mission of Manuscripts in New Delhi. Till recently, he had been chairman of the PG Council in Utkal University and a professor and head of the Sanskrit department of the institution.

Vashishth took charge as incumbent vice-chancellor P.C. Sahoo’s tenure ended yesterday. Vashishth will remain in charge till the vice-chancellor is appointed.

The name of the new vice-chancellor is expected to be announced on May 8. The three-member search committee consisting of R.K. Chauhan (former UGC secretary), Dinesh Singh (vice-chancellor of Delhi University) and Kailash Chandra Mishra (vice-chancellor of Sri Sri University) have submitted three names to governor S.C. Jamir.

The three short-listed candidates include Utkal University’s professor Samson Maharana (commerce), Ashok Das, a scientist with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, and Prakash Sarangi, retired professor of political science in Central University, Hyderabad.

Jamir will choose one of the three recommended names and the announcement will be made on May 8, said sources at the chancellor’s office.

Varsity officials are hopeful about the appointment of an insider. In another development, the three-member selection-cum-search panel for vice-chancellor of Fakir Mohan University, Balasore, has also chosen eight candidates from among 70 applicants. Outgoing vice-chancellor Kumabar Das is among the short-listed candidates.