Scientist to be Utkal University Vice Chancellor

Governor and chancellor of universities S C Jamir on Wednesday appointed Ashok Das, a scientist with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), as the vice-chancellor of Utkal University.

Das graduated in physics from Utkal in 1971 and did his PG in nuclear science from BARC in 1973. He has presented 130 papers in various conferences at national and international level. He is a member of the advisory committee of Union department of science and technology.

While there were over 100 applicants for the post, names of three persons, including Utkal University professor Samson Maharana (commerce), Prakash Sarangi (retired professor of political science of Central University, Hyderabad) and Ashok Kumar Das, were shortlisted by a panel consisting of R.K. Chauhan (former UGC secretary), Dinesh Singh (VC, Delhi University VC) and Kailash Chandra Mishra (VC, Sri Sri University).

Governor S.C. Jamir selected Das from among three candidates shortlisted for the topmost post of the state’s premier varsity.

The new VC, who will have to deal with acute shortage of faculty members and non-teaching staff, said it is too early to talk about these problems.

“I will face all issues and try to solve them. It will be improper for me to comment on them as I am yet to get a formal communication from the governor about my selection,” said Ashok Kumar Das.

Of the 340 sanctioned teacher posts, around 180 are lying vacant.