Bhubaneswar: Odisha Governor and Chancellor of Universities Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati on Saturday directed vice-chancellors of state public universities to initiate recruitment for vacant teaching posts by the first week of November and complete the process by the end of the month.
Kambhampati issued the direction at a meeting on the ongoing recruitment of teaching faculty in state public universities held at New Abhishek Hall on the Lok Bhavan premises.
Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, Higher Education Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Arabinda Agrawal, vice-chancellors and registrars of state public universities, and senior officials from the department and Lok Bhavan attended the meeting.
The Governor said filling vacant teaching posts was the next major challenge after the appointment of vice-chancellors in state universities. He recalled that vice-chancellors of 14 universities were appointed on a single day after he assumed office and said clear timelines should now be set for completing faculty recruitment.
“Merit should be the priority in the appointment of teaching faculty. Quality and merit cannot be compromised,” Kambhampati said, stressing the need to recruit the best available faculty.
He also suggested that all eligible applicants be called for interviews instead of extensive shortlisting and scrutiny at the initial stage. According to the Governor, this would ensure that eligible candidates do not feel excluded while providing interview panels with a wider pool of candidates.
Kambhampati also urged universities to pursue green certification, referring to the platinum certification received by Odisha Lok Bhavan from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). He said most universities already have substantial green cover and could secure certification with additional efforts.
The Governor sought details from universities pursuing accreditation and suggested a common tenure for vice-chancellors across state public universities.
“There are some universities where the vice-chancellor has a three-year tenure and some have four years. There should be a common tenure,” he said.
He further urged universities to adopt solar power on their campuses, either through their own initiatives or under the Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) model.
Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj endorsed the Governor’s suggestions and asked vice-chancellors to set timelines for completing the faculty recruitment process.
During the meeting, Commissioner-cum-Secretary Arabinda Agrawal made a presentation on the status of teaching faculty recruitment in state public universities
