Friday, May 14, 2010

• A four-member search committee formed to choose candidate
• Several VC posts vacant in agricultural varsities

Bangalore: Twenty-three agricultural scientists, including K. Narayana Gowda of the Bio-Resources Complex Project fame, are in the race for the post of vice-chancellor of the University of Agricultural Sciences-Bangalore. The post of the vice-chancellor of the UAS-B fell vacant after the retirement of P.G. Chengappa on April 23. According to sources, 23 agricultural scientists have sent in their applications and bio-data to the Principal Secretary to the Agriculture Department in response to the invitation of applications by the Government.
The Government is learnt to have formed a four-member search committee, headed by the former Bangalore University Vice-Chancellor M.S. Thimmappa to recommend suitable candidates from among the applicants.

According to the norms, the committee is required to recommend the names of three candidates. The Government would make a choice from these names and recommend it to the Governor, who will make the appointment in consultation with the Government.

The search committee comprises Indian Council of Agricultural Research Director-General and acclaimed scientist S. Ayyappan (permanent member) and former UPSC member P. Selvidas (Government's nominee) and a nominee of the University Grants Commission.

Principal Secretary to Agriculture Department N.C. Muniyappa is the convener of the panel.

The list of aspirants for the vice-chancellor's post includes the former Registrar B. Raju and Dean (postgraduate studies) H.V. Nanjappa.

According to sources, the search panel is expected to make its recommendation soon.

The UAS-B, which is the State's oldest Agricultural University, has 17 southern districts under its jurisdiction.
The post of vice-chancellor of UAS-Dharwad has is also lying vacant. A search panel, headed by the former Bangalore University Vice-Chancellor Siddhappa has been constituted to choose the three best candidates and recommend their names.

Karnataka has a total of six universities pertaining to agricultural sciences and allied sectors, including the newly announced Shimoga University.

The posts of VCs of a majority of these universities are vacant.

While the VCs' posts of UAS Bangalore and Dharwad are vacant, the post of special officer for the proposed Shimoga University is yet to be announced.

The vice-chancellor for UAS-Raichur was appointed recently.