Odisha: 71 professors in OUAT VC race

Bhubaneswar: As many as 71 professors from across the country are in a race for the post of Vice-Chancellor in Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT).

Out of total candidates, 17 are from the OUAT and 54 are from other reputed educational institutions including the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) and IIT Bhubaneswar for the prestigious post.

According to reports, the VC will be appointed under section 9(2) of OUAT Act 1965. Following the application process ended on March 6, the search committee headed by Former Chief Secretary Jugal Mohapatra will select a list of deserving candidates at next meeting scheduled on March 18.

Sources said that the candidates will be shortlisted following verifying the applications as per the norms. A list of three or five contenders will be recommended to the Governor, who is the Chancellor of the University, following interview for the post of VC of OUAT.

Last month, Governor Ganeshi Lal had asked the existing VC of the OUAT, Surendranath Pasupalak to go on leave, less than a month before his retirement to ensure a fair probe into alleged irregularities in recruitments in the agriculture varsity.

However, Pasupalak denied receiving such a letter from the government in this regard.

Worth mentioning, a vigilance probe has been initiated against Pasupalak in December last year by the State government following Governor’s order, for his alleged involvement in recruitment scam for various posts in the university.