Prasanta Kumar Sahoo

Bhubaneswar, April 29: Governor and chancellor M.C. Bhandare today named the successors of the outgoing vice-chancellors (VC) in three universities of the state.

For Utkal University in Bhubaneswar, an in-house candidate, professor Prasanta Kumar Sahoo, was appointed the vice-chancellor. The governor named professor Sanghamitra Mohanty and professor Kumarbar Das as vice-chancellors of North Orissa University, Baripada and Fakir Mohan University, Balasore, respectively.

Sahoo spoke to The Telegraph. Here are the excerpts:

How does it feel on being appointed the vice-chancellor?

Justice has been done to me. My motto is to give justice to all. I will treat all my staff members equally and as humans.

What are your plans for the university?

I have quite a few plans, including building a “knowledge campus” here. We would approach the government to sanction another 100 acre to the university where the knowledge campus can be established as per the recommendations of the Knowledge Commission. I also plan to introduce “Gyanaloka Programme” under which NSS cadets would tour villages and educate kids. I am also planning to improve the hygienic conditions of hostels here. The women’s studies department also needs urgent attention.

Any plans for a foreign collaboration?

Yes, I have a specific plan to explore foreign collaboration. We would also like to introduce a geo-informatics system that can sound an effective warning for tsunamis and earthquakes.

How do you plan to restrain intense students’ politics which has often contributed to violence and unrest on the campus?

I will try my best to create an atmosphere of discipline in the university. I would treat all the students as my children. I don’t have any problem with their involvement in party politics unless discipline is compromised with. I enjoy a good relationship with all students.

How would you strengthen campus recruitment drives?

We would strengthen the existing placement cell. More entrepreneurship programmes would be introduced at the university. We will approach all the industries to visit our campus for recruitment process.

The publication of results is being delayed and the students are suffering on account of that. What’s your take on it?

After I formally join as the VC, I will take steps to computerise the examination process and the library. I will also work on the decentralisation of the central evaluation system. Once the exam of a particular subject gets over, immediate evaluation would start. Results would be published on time.