Several aspirants for GND varsity VC’s post

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 3

After Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) flashed an advertisement today for appointment of new Vice-Chancellor today, names of several educationists have started doing the rounds.

Aspirants are even approaching bigwigs, who are close to Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh. Prominent people vying for the Vice Chancellor include Dr Narpinder Singh, a professor in the Department of Food and Science Technology, GNDU, who has 26 years of experience. His areas of specialisation lies in starch and protein chemistry among others.

Another prominent name is UGC Secretary Dr Jaspal Singh, who had been GNDU’s former HoD of Sports Medicine and Physiotherapy Department.

Dr Jaswinder Singh Dhillon, Registrar, Khalsa University, and Dr Mohan Paul Singh Ishar, Vice-Chancellor, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University, are also among probables. Ishar, who had been Vice-Chancellor of Jammu University, had taught for a long period at Pharmaceutical Sciences Department at the GNDU.

Several candidates are out of the race as the age limit of the applicants is 65 years. Interested candidates can apply till May 25.

The university, after receiving the list of candidates, will forward it to a five-member committee, constituted to shortlist the names for the appointment of Vice-Chancellors (VCs) of Punjabi University, Patiala, and Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.

The committee is headed by former Punjab Tractors CMD Chandra Mohan, who played a vital role in designing the first-ever indigenously manufactured tractor in the country.

Other members of the committee are Dr BS Dhillon, VC, Punjab Agricultural University, RS Khandpur, former Director General of Pushpa Gujral Science City, Chief Secretary and Secretary, Higher Education, are the ex-officio members.

Appointed by the previous regime, Dr AS Brar quit his position after the formation of the Congress government in the state. After his resign, Anurag Verma, Secretary, Higher Education, was appointed VC of the GNDU and Punjabi University.

With current academic session concluding with the conduct of final examination on May 30, it has become necessary to appoint VC to steer way for the next academic session.