Prof Karamjeet Singh gets additional charge of Punjabi varsity VC

Prof Karamjeet Singh has been given for six months the additional charge of Punjabi University Vice-Chancellor (VC). He is currently serving as the Vice-Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University in Amritsar.

The appointment of a full-time VC for the Patiala university have been pending since the completion of Prof Arvind’s three-year tenure in April last year.

The order giving Prof Karamjeet Singh the temporary charge was issued by the office of Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, who is the Chancellor of the state university. The order was signed by K Siva Prasad, Additional Chief Secretary to the Governor.

It said the Governor is “pleased to order that Prof Karamjeet Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, will temporarily assume the duties of the Vice-Chancellor of Punjabi University, Patiala, in addition to his current responsibilities for a period of six months or until the appointment of a regular incumbent, whichever is earlier”.

The decision has come as a surprise to the teaching faculty and administrative staff, who were expecting the appointment of a permanent Vice-Chancellor.

According to sources, a search committee constituted to shortlist candidates for the post had submitted a panel of three names to the Punjab Government a few weeks ago.

Punjab Higher Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains had earlier confirmed that the process to appoint a regular Vice-Chancellor was almost complete and an official announcement in this regard would be made soon.

The delay in the appointment has impacted the university’s operations. “Hundreds of students are still waiting for their degrees, which require the VC’s signature, while urgent meetings to initiate the budget process must be scheduled soon,” said Prof Jagbir Singh, a member of the Punjabi University Retired Teachers’ Association.