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Suranjan
Das is Calcutta University VC
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KOLKATA : Prof. Suranjan Das has taken over as
the new Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University. He
received the consent letter, confirming his appointment,
from the Chancellor of the university, Mr Gopal Krishna
Gandhi on April 30 and he tookover  the
following day.
Prof. Das,
the former Pro-Vice Chancellor (academic affairs) was
elected the new Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University
on April 18 and his name was proposed by Prof. Asis Ray,
former Vice-Chancellor of Kalyani University and
unanimously supported by the Senate.
Instead
of a panel of three candidates, Prof. Das's name had
been sent to the Governor and Chancellor, Mr Gopal
Krishna Gandhi.
R
A Yadav appointed new chief of AICTE
NEW DELHI : Prof R A Yadav has been appointed
Chairman of the All India Council for Technical
Education.
Prof
Yadav had been officiating as the AICTE chief since July
last year when the then chief Dr Damodar Acharya quit
the apex body of technical education to join his alma
mater as the director of the Indian Institute of
Technology, Kharagpur.
Prof
Yadav, an eminent professor of management studies is
known for his firm discipline and was being opposed by a
powerful lobby of education mafia thriving in and around
National Capital Region.
In
fact, the thriving education mafia were able to stall
his appointment to the top AICTE post by backdoor
manipulations and adverse press publicity.
Speaking
to Academics-India on April 24, couple of days after his
de jure takeover, Prof Yadav said that he would continue
with his policies and would not relent.
With
his formal takeover, the post of the vice-chairman has
fallen vacant and process has begun to select a new vice
chief.
Karpaga Kumaravel heads Madurai Kamaraj varsity
MADURAI : On April 20, a Sunday, Prof R. Karpaga
Kumaravel formally took over as the vice-chancellor of
Madurai Kamaraj University. He was earlier the Professor
and Head, Department of Educational Technology,
Bharathidasan University, Tiruchi.
Soon after taking over he told reporters that he felt
overwhelmed to have become the Vice-Chancellor of "a
great institution of higher learning" and said that all
steps would be taken to uphold its status among higher
education institutions in the country.
Outlining his plans for the next three years, he said
that the first priority would be to ensure a good
academic environment conducive for research in the
campus. He also said that focus would be on improving
teaching/learning methods in tune with modern day
requirements by deploying multimedia and technology.
Fiftytwo-year-old Kumaravel took charge at a simple
function held at the university complex in presence of
Syndicate members and others. His appointment was made
by Tamil Nadu Governor-Chancellor Surjeet Singh Barnala
on April 17.
Dr. Kumaravel, who has specialised in educational
technology, has been the Dean, Faculty of Arts, and also
the Coordinator of University Grants Commission Special
Assistance Programme of Bharatidasan University.
A widely travelled academician, he conceived and
introduced projects related to school assessment and
accreditation besides training many higher education
teachers in e-content development.
Osmania
University has a new Registrar
HYDERABAD
: Y. C. Venudhar, Professor of Department of Physics
assumed the office as the Registrar of the Osmania
University on April 25.
M.
Mutha Reddy, outgoing Registrar handed over the charge
at a function held at the Administrative Building, OU in
the presence of T. Tirupati Rao, Vice-Chancellor, OU.
Three service associations of the University organised a
function in honour of outgoing Registrar Prof. M. Mutha
Reddy.
Sunil Gupta appointed Himachal varsity VC
SHIMLA : Prof Sunil Kumar Gupta of the Department
of Commerce at Himachal Pradesh University has been
appointed Vice-Chancellor of the varsity.
On April 8 the Chancellor's office issued a formal
notification in this regard. His appointment is for a
term of three years.
He will assume office on April 11 after his predecessor,
Prof Anil Wilson, relinquishes charge. His appointment
has been made following the resignation of Prof Wilson
within 14 months of his appointment for personal
reasons.
Prof Gupta has a teaching experience of 28 years in the
Department of Commerce. He has a number of books and
research publications to his credit.
“My endeavour will be to maintain the academic
atmosphere in the university and ensure that there is
redressal of the grievances or problems of teachers and
employees,” he said.
Prof Gupta said another priority area for him would be
the filling of various posts of teacher as well as
non-teaching staff.
K R Dhiman is Y S Parmar University VC
SOLAN : Dr K. R. Dhiman has been appointed
seventh vice-chancellor of Dr Y. S. Parmar University of
Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, according to a
notification issued by the Governor-Chancellor on April
4.
He succeeds Dr Jagmohan Singh who will superannuate on
April 5. Dhiman, who hails from Bilaspur district, has
been working as a joint director with the Central Potato
Research Institute, Shimla.
He graduated from Nauni university and was a B.Sc
student from 1967 to 1971. He completed in M.Sc from
Pantnagar University and got his doctorate degree from
Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana.
Dhiman served in the strife-torn north eastern states,
including Tripura and was also associated with various
prestigious national-level committees. His name was
selected from a panel of three, which also included Dr
Katwal and Dr R.C. Sharma.
The appointment of the university’s own student as a VC
has been welcomed by the scientists community. Dhiman is
an expert on hill agriculture.
Saroj Chooramani Gopal is KG medical varsity VC
LUCKNOW
:
On March 8 Prof Saroj Chooramani Gopal took over
as the Vice-Chancellor, of King Georges' Medical
University now named Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical
University (CSMMU).
She said that she will try to introduce career
counselling for MBBS students, particularly girls, to
help them have a clear vision about what they want to do
in future.
Prof Saroj, who is the first woman vice-chancellor of
CSMMU, was talking to newspersons soon after taking
charge on March 8, which incidentally was also
International Woman’s Day.
Girl medicos normally opt for gynaecology, ophthalmic
and non-clinical branches of medicines and rarely seen
in branches like neurosurgery, oncology etc. Prof Saroj
recalled she also had faced opposition when after doing
MBBS in 1966 she decided to pursue general surgery,
which has been traditionally a male domain.
She even had to threaten her college principal of going
to court to seek admission in general surgery. It was
this courage which made her first woman general surgeon
in the state and later first woman to graduate as
paediatric surgeon from AIIMS, New Delhi.
When asked about private practice by medical teachers,
Prof Saroj said since pay scales are low in medical
colleges in comparison to other sectors, teachers
indulge in private practice out of frustration.
Supporting salary hike for teachers, the vice-chancellor
said that she will try to solve the problems through
dialogue with the government.
Binayak Rath to head Utkal University
LUCKNOW : Prof Binayak Rath of the Humanities and
Social Sciences Department of the Indian Institute of
Technology, Kanpur has been appointed Vice-Chancellor of
Utkal University, Bhubaneshwar, according to a report.
The appointment is for a term of three years from the
day he assumes office.
The appointment was made by Orissa Governor-Chancellor
Mr M C Bhandare on February 26 and Dr Rath was asked to
join the university at the earliest.
When contacted Dr Rath confirmed receipt of a fax
message from Orissa Raj Bhawan but said he would not be
able to join the university before two months.
Dr Rath said he was happy with the appointment as he
would get a chance to "serve" his alma mattar. Dr
Rath did his graduation and postgraduation from Utkal
University and had joined IIT, Kanpur for his doctoral
degree.
Meanwhile the outgoing VC of Utkal University Dr L N
Mishra has been allowed extension for two months by the
Chancellor.
Fakir Mohan and North Orissa varsities get new VCs
BHUBANESHWAR : Retired Professor and Head of the
Department of Personal Management and Industrial
Relations (PMIR) Utkal University, Dr Sukanti Priya
Patnaik has been appointed Vice-Chancellor of Fakir
Mohan University.
His appointment was made on February 26 by the Orissa
Governor-Chancellor Mr M C Bhandare for a term of three
years.
Similarly, professor of Botany of Utkal University,
Shiba Prasad Rath has been appointed Vice-Chancellor of
North Orissa University. The tenure of the present
vice-chancellors of North Orissa University and Fakir
Mohan University expires on March 3 and 16 respectively.
T Tirupati Rao is new Osmania University VC
HYDERABAD : On February 20 the President of Osmania University
Teachers’ Association (OUTA), T. Tirupati Rao,
took over as the Vice-Chancellor of Osmania University.
His appointment order were issued on February
 19.
Speaking to reporters after taking over as the 22nd
Vice-Chancellor of the 90-year-old university, Prof. Rao
said research was another area that would get importance
during his term and steps would be initiated to ensure
that research scholars bag more fellowships from various
institutions.
A professor of Political Science, he
was the
coordinator for Centre for Advanced Studies in Political
Science.
Prof. Rao hails from Vardhannapet in Warangal district
and did his schooling in his native village before
completing his high school from Korukonda Sainik School.
He did his Bachelor of Arts from Warangal and later
completed his PG and Ph.D. from the Department of
Political Science in Osmania University.
A Murigeppa is Kannada University VC
BANGALORE : Dr A. Murigeppa, a retired professor
of Linguistics, Karnatak University, Dharwad, is the new
Vice-Chancellor of Kannada University, Hampi.
A notification in this regard was issued by
Governor-Chancellor Rameshwar Thakur on February 13.
The post was vacant for nearly seven months after Dr B A
Viveka Rai tendered his resignation in June last year
following his appointment as vice-chancellor of
Karnataka State Open University (KSOU),
Mysore.
Two senior professors of the university had served as
the acting vice-chancellors.
Gangan Prathap is new VC of Cusat
KOCHI : Dr Gangan Prathap, a renowned scientist,
took over as the new Vice-Chancellor of the Cochin
University of Science and Technology (Cusat) here on
February 4.
Mr. Prathap was formerly scientist-in-charge, CSIR
Centre for Mathematical Modelling and Computer
Simulation, Bangalore.
A winner of
Bhatnagar Award in 1990, Dr. Pratap belongs to Mayyanad
in Kollam. Sociologist Latha Sukumaran is his wife and
their son Rahul is an engineer with L&T, Baroda.
Dr. Pratap
has published more than 300 research papers, including
the book “Finite Element in Structural Mechanics,” which
was published from Holland. He is also member of the
editorial boards of many scientific journals.
Dr. Pratap
completed his schooling in Singapore and took his
B.Tech, in Aero Engineering with first rank from IIT
Madras in 1974. He took his doctorate from IIT Madras in
1978.
He was
accorded fellowships for various research institutions
like Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific
Research and Indian Academy for Science.
R P Bajpai takes over at Kurukshetra University
KURUKSHETRA : Dr R.P. Bajpai who took over as the
new Kurukshetra University vice-chancellor on February 1
promised to produce quality human resources at a
hurriedly calle  d
press conference.
Highlighting his priorities, he said he would make
concerted efforts to produce employable youth through
innovative courses and by revamping the existing
syllabi. To a question regarding political interference
in the university administration, he said whereas such a
trend could not be completely ruled out in a democratic
set-up, as the vice-chancellor, he would adopt a
judicious approach in dealing with any such
interference.
To another query that Kurukshetra University had not
held a convocation for the graduates of the university
for many years now, he said the convocation would be
made a regular annual feature and the next convocation
would be held soon.
G Sarojamma is Tirupati Mahila varsity VC
TIRUPATI : The Andhra Pradesh government has
cleared the appointment of G. Sarojamma, senior
professor in the Department of Mathematics in Sri
Padmavathi Mahila Viswa Vidyalayam (SPMVV), Tirupati as
the Vice-Chancellor of the university.
The three-member Search Committee constituted to
short-list three names for appointment to the coveted
post has reportedly had a final sitting at Hyderabad on
January 31 and finalised the name of Sarojamma, who is
said to belong to a BC community.
The appointment comes at the end of an intense lobbying
by all the three top contenders for the prime post
resulting eventually in protracted vacillation by the
powers that be in the government. The other two strong
contenders for the top
rung were the out-going Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Veena
Noble Das who tried for a second term and the other was
P. Kusumakumari, Professor of Telugu Studies in the
university who reportedly has strong family links with
that of Chief Minister, Y.S.
Rajasekhar Reddy.
Sarojamma was also formerly the Dean and the Principal
of the SPMVV College.
M Ramanathan is Annamalai University VC
CUDDALORE : M. Ramanathan (57), Dean, Faculty of
Medicine, Rajah Muthiah Medical College (RMMC), has
taken over as Vice-Chancellor of Annamalai University,
Chidambaram.
Ramanathan, who took over on January 29 replaces L.B.
Venkatrangan, who held the top post for two terms,
from 2002 to 2008. Dr. Ramanathan, a general and
laparoscopic surgeon.
Dr.
Ramanathan called the tenure of the outgoing
Vice-Chancellor as a “golden period” for the university
because the latter had brought about significant
improvement in infrastructure and research.
Born in
Kulipirai in Pudukottai district on May 3, 1950, Dr .Ramanathan
did his MBBS from the Thanjavur Medical College and M.S.
at the Kilpauk Medical College. He joined as a Medical
Officer of the university hospital in 1978 and rose up
in the hierarchy to come to hold two positions
simultaneously — that of Principal, RMMC, and Dean,
Faculty of Medicine.
In the
aftermath of the 2004 tsunami and the 2005 floods, the
medical team led by Dr Ramanathan rendered yeomen
services to affected people.
A “Mega
cardiac alert” programme, launched at his initiative to
create awareness among rural masses of heart ailments,
was widely appreciated.
M D Tewari gets second term at IIIT, Allahabad
 NEW
DELHI : The Director of the Indian Institute of Information
Technology, Allahabad, Dr Murli Dhar Tewari has been selected to head the
ace institution for another term of five years.
His appoiontment has been approved by Cabinet Committee for Appointments
with effect from December 27.
Dr Tewari has been with the IIIT, Allahabad since its inception and
proposes to take the IIIT to a new high in the new term.
An able education administrator, Dr Tewari as been the vice-chancellor of
Rohelkhand University and has worked with the UGC and the AICTE on key
posts.
Shyam Lal appointed Patna varsity VC
PATNA : Bihar Governor-Chancellor R S Gavai has appointed Shyam Lal
as the new Vice-Chancellor of Patna University, Raj Bhavan sources said on
January 25.
Mr. Lal, a former Vice-Chancellor of Jai Narain Vyas University in Jodhpur
in Rajasthan, will replace Y C Simhadri, who was removed by Mr Gavai,
three days back.
The pro Vice-Chancellor of Magadh University R P Sharma has been appointed
as the Vice-Chancellor of J P University, Chapra.
Brar joins Lucknow varsity as VC
 LUCKNOW
: Dr A S Brar of the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi has taken over
as the new vice-chancellor of the University of Lucknow amidst raging
controversy stirred by the outgoing vice-chancellor Prof R P Singh who had
suspended 18 faculty members on the very last day of his term.
Dr Brar, a professor of chemistry, with emphasis on polymers and macro
molecules bought temporary peace on the campus by suspending the
controversial order of the outgoing vice-chancellor on January 8.
Dr. Brar, did his B.Sc. from Faridkot, Punjab and M.Sc. from Punjabi
University, Patiala. He did his Ph.D. from Indian Institute of Technology,
Delhi and got UNESCO fellowship in 1974. After completing Ph.D., he joined
Guru Nanak Dev University and served there for six years. Prof. Brar has
worked in the field of catalysis, Mossbauer spectroscopy, photochemistry
and currently in the field of NMR spectroscopy of polymers. He has
internationally recognition in these fields.
He has published more than 200 papers in peered journals and 50 papers in
the proceedings of conferences / symposia.
Prof Brar was Chairman GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test for Engineering) 2002,
2004 and JMET 2002, 2004. He was chairman for conducting DRDO-SET2004
(Defense Research and Development Organization - Scientist Entrance Test),
entrance test through which, about 600 scientists were recruited for
various DRDO laboratories. He was Head of Chemistry Department, IIT Delhi
and Fellow of the "National Academy of Sciences", India.
Choppala Rathnam is Sri Venkateswara University VC
TIRUPATI: Prof. Choppala Rathnam, of Economics
Department, Andhra University was, on January 10 appointed
Vice-Chancellor of Sri Venkateswara University. He was formerly the OSD of
the Nannaya University, Rajahmundry.
The
appointment of the new incumbent follows the laying down
of office by the previous vice-chancellor, S. Jayarama
Reddy after his 3-year tenure ended last month even as
he made hectic attempts for a renomination.
The
appointment of Mr. Rathnam said to belong to the
Scheduled Caste brings the curtains down on the the
fluid-situation that was prevailing over the issue.
K N
Tripathi takes over as Agra University VC
AGRA :
Prof K N Tripathi,
Dean (Research) of Delhi University (DU),
has taken over as its 37th Vice-Chancellor here.
He was given a warm welcome by the teachers, students and employees of the
institution.
He
was appointed the Vice-Chancellor of Dr Bhim Rao
Ambedkar University (DBRAU) by the Uttar Pradesh Governor-Chancellor, T V
Rajeswar, on December 24 for a term of three years.
Before his present appointment, he held the post of
Pro-Vice Chancellor at the Indira Gandhi National Open
University (IGNOU).
Prof Tripathi took the charge of the Vice-Chancellor of
Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar University and informed the Raj
Bhavan about it through a fax from the Registrar's
office. After taking charge he told reporters : "Since I
am associated with research, my thrust will be on
research work besides starting new professional courses,
including those related to media, information technology
(IT), banking, science etc." "I will try to build an
environment which promotes academic activities and
research work," he said.
Riyaz
Punjabi is Kashmir University VC
JAMMU : Prof Riyaz Punjabi of Jawaharlal Nehru University, New
Delhi, has been appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kashmir.
The appointment was made by Governor-Chancellor Lt. Gen. (Retd.) S.K.
Sinha who appointed him for a term of
 three
years.
Prof. Punjabi, is a professor at the Centre for the Study of Social
Systems, Faculty of Social Sciences in
Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He is also the
Director,
Centre for Peace Studies. Professor Punjabi has edited a number of works
on religious conflicts and identity.
Prof Riyaz Punjabi would be returning to the university after 18 years to
assume charge of the coveted position on in first week of next month.
Accordingly to sources, the search committee was headed by the former
vice-chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University and chairman of the state
finance commission Mehmood-ur-Rehman. The other two members of the search
committee were vice-chancellor of the Mata Vaishno Devi University N K
Bansal and senior historian Prof Fida Muhammad Hasnain.
The search committee, according to sources, had short-listed three names
-- Prof Riyaz Punjabi, Prof Abul Hassan Siddiqui, ex pro-chancellor of the
Aligarh Muslim University presently professor at Abdus Salam International
Center Trieste Italy and
Prof Mushtaq Ahmad Peer professor of Computer Sciences at University of
Kashmir.
Prof Riyaz Punjabi will take over as the Vice-Chancellor of the Kashmir
University on January 1, 2008 as the term of the incumbent VC Prof Abdul
Wahid expired on 17 December 2007.
A doctorate in law, Dr Punjabi has served as professor and chairman,
Department of Distance Education, Dean Faculty of Non-Formal Education in
the University of Kashmir. He has been a visiting Professor in Jamia Milia
Islamia, New Delhi and a
visiting fellow on human rights at the Indian Institute of Advanced
Studies Shimla and a visiting fellow at the Centre for South Asian
Studies, Switzerland.
Author of Several books and edited volumes, Dr Punjabi has contributed
more than 100 research papers in the Indian and international academic
journals on Law, peace and international relations.
Dr Punjabi graduated from S P College in Srinagar and obtained the degrees
of Masters in Law and Doctorate in Law from Aligarh Muslim University.
Although a student of Law, he was appointed Editor of Aligarh Magazine
under Prof Alley Ahmed
Suroor for his keen interest in Urdu literature.
D P Kothari appointed VC of VIT University
VELLORE : Prof D.P. Kothari has taken over as the Vice-Chancellor
of the Vellore Institut  e
of Technology (VIT) University here.
Prior to his appointment in the VITU, he was Professor of the Centre for
Energy Studies, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi (2003-06),
Principal, Visvesvarayya Regional Engineering College, Nagpur (1997-98)
and Head, Centre for Energy Studies, IIT, Delhi (1995-97).
Prof. Kothari was Visiting Professor at the Royal Melbourne Institute of
Technology, Melbourne, Australia in 1982-83 and 1989 for two years. He was
NSF Fellow at Purdue University, U.S. in 1992.
He has published 525 research papers in various national and international
journals and conferences, guided 27 Ph.D scholars, 55 M.Tech students and
authored 20 books in power systems and other allied areas.
He is a Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering, Indian
National Academy of Sciences, Institution of Engineers and senior member,
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
He took charge of the VIT University on December 10.
R P Hooda gets MDU, promises the moon
ROHTAK : As expected, the former Kurukshetra University
vice-chancellor R.P. Hooda took over as the vice-chancellor of Maharshi
Dayanand University (MDU) here on December 4.
His appointment is for
a period of three years or till the date he attains 65 years, whichever is
earlier.
Appointed with the grace of a friendly chief minister, Prof Hooda said he
would initiate a phase of reconstruction at the university by putting an
end to the feeling of alienation among faculty members.
Within 24 hours of his taking over he re-shuffled the university
administration and appointed Dr Surender Kumar, professor,
Department of Economics, as dean, Academic Affairs.
Dr Daleep Singh, professor, IMSAR, has been assigned the duties of Dean,
College Development Council. Dr Narender Kumar Garg, professor, Department
of Commerce, has been appointed director, Directorate of Distance
Education. Deputy registrar K.C. Dadhwal has been transferred from the
VC’s office to the accounts branch as finance officer while U.S. Dalal has
been transferred from the accounts branch to the VC’s office as secretary
to the vice-chancellor.
He visited various university teaching departments and interacted with
faculty members and students. The newly appointed vice-chancellor said he
would act as a facilitating agent to build a modern university where
faculty members and students had a sense of belongingness. “I will always
remain available to the students,” he maintained, adding that a new era of
students’ welfare would be ushered in on the MDU campus.
He served as the vice-chancellor of Kurukshetra University from August 24,
2005, to December 3, 2007 and has a teaching and research experience of
about 34 years. He also served as director, Apeejay Institutions, Delhi,
for about two years. Prof Hooda, who holds the MA (economics) and PhD
degrees, earlier also served as the registrar of Kurukshetra University.
Jaspal Singh appointed Punjabi varsity VC
PATIALA : On December 4 the Punjab Governor-Chancellor issued
orders appointing Dr Jaspal Singh, former Indian Ambassador to Mozambique,
as vice-chancellor of Punjabi university, here.
The post had fallen vacant after Swaran Singh Boparai resigned in a huff.
Dr Jaspal Singh, whose name had been doing the rounds ever since the exit
of Boparai, was principal of Sri Guru Gobind Singh college of commerce in
New Delhi. He is Ph.D in political science. His topic was concept of state
in Sikh Scriptures and
historical perspective.
He also remained lecturer of political science in Khalsa college, New
Delhi. He has also written two books -Raj da Sikh Sankalap and Sikh Itehas
Lekhan de Dharam Granth. Dr Singh is also a member of the SGPC on behalf
of the Dehli Sikh Gurdwara
Management Committee and also a member of the political affairs committee
of the SAD.
Dr Jaspal Singh is said to be close to former Prime Minister I.K. Gujral
who had appointed him ambassador.
Samir K. Brahmachari appointed new CSIR chief
NEW DELHI :
Dr Samir K. Brahmachari,
the Director of Delhi-based Institute of Genomics and
Integrative Biology has finally been appointed the new Director-General of
the
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
He
took charge as
Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial
Research (DSIR) and
DG of the
CSIR
here on November 12.
A renowned biophysicist, Dr. Brahmachari, took charge
from Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, T. Ramasami.
Before he joined the CSIR family as the director of the
Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology he was a professor at Indian
Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore. He has done B.Sc. Chemistry (Hons) form
St Xaviers College, Calcutta University,
Calcutta; M.Sc. in Physical Chemistry form Calcutta University and Ph.D.
from Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.
Dr. Brahmachari has demonstrated the structural
flexibility of DNA and the role of repetitive sequences in DNA
transactions much before the discovery of repeats association with genetic
disorders. His work on the structural flexibility of telomeric
repeat sequences is one of his well cited contributions.
Dr Brahmachari, who had spent 23 years at the Indian Institute of Science,
Bangalore researching genetics and molecular biology, will steer the 37
CSIR laboratories.
Asked about his Bangalore days, the Kolkata-born geneticist said that
those 23 years were the best part of his life as he got opportunities to
learn from stalwarts like Dr G N Ramachandran and Dr C N R Rao at the IISc.
‘No first class degree’
When he first came to IISc in the 1970s, Dr Brahmachari did not even
have a first class degree which was a prerequisite for the premier
institute. But he convinced the scientists to interview him just once
despite having a second class. “The interview was satisfactory and I got a
chance to work at the lush green IISc. In 1981 I became a faculty at the
IISc,” he said.
In 1997, Dr Brahmachari was handpicked by former CSIR chief Dr R A
Mashelkar to head the Centre for Biotechnology, which has been transformed
into an ultra-modern genetics laboratory called Institute of Genomics and
Integrative Biology, now a premier genetics and molecular biology
institution.
Dr Brahmachari’s appointment filled the void at the top of the India’s
largest science research establishment after Mysore’s Dr V Prakash
declined on January 1 take up the top job on health grounds.
Dr Prakash heads the Mysore-based Central Food Technological Research
Institute.
In the last 10 months two science secretaries — Dr T Ramasami at the
Department of Science and Technology and Dr M K Bhan at the Department of
Biotechnology — headed the CSIR in officiating capacity.
Dr Samir Kumar Brahmachari has been involved in issues related to
unethical exploitation of genetic resources from the developing world.
“Indian genetic material cannot be taken for granted. Because of our rich
genetic resources we can be among the top nations in genetics, which is
generating billions worldwide,” Dr Brahmachari said.
Pankaj Chandra appointed Bangalore IIM director
BANGALORE
: Pankaj Chandra, a professor of Operations and
Technology Management at the Indian Institute of
Management, Ahmedabad, has been appointed the new
Director of Indian Institute of Management-Bangalore,
according to sources in the 
HRD Ministry said.
He succeeds Dr Prakash G. Apte
who demitted office on October 8.
A bachelor of technology from the Institute of
Technology, Benaras Hindu University (1983) Chandra did
his Ph.D (1989), from the Wharton School, University of
Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.
Currently he held the post of Chairperson, Centre of
Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship, Indian
Institute of Management Ahmedabad, India.
Sources said HRD ministry has faxed the letter to the
chairman of IIM-B, Mr Mukesh Ambani about the
appointment.
Samir Barua appointed Ahemdabad IIM director
NEW DELHI : Prof Samir Kumar Barua (57), one of
the senior-most professors of the Indian Institute of
management, Ahmedabad, (IIM-A) has taken over as the
10th director of the Indian Institute of Management,
Ahmedabad.
He succeeds Bakul Dholakia, who stepped down on October
10, handing over charge to the Dean, Dr Jayant Varma.
Prof Barua was abroad when his appointment was announced
by the Ministry of Human Resource Development. He returned
on late November 7
evening and took chare the following day.
Earlier, the MHRD had short-listed the names of Barua and G. Raghuram, two
senior professors of the same institute, for approval by the Prime
Minister's Office (PMO).
While Barua has prepared policy papers for finance
ministry, Raghuram specialising in public systems group
had made Railway Minister Lalu Prasad's turn-around of
Indian Railways a management case study.
Barua joined the IIM-A as associate professor in 1983
and became a professor in 1986. He is chairperson of the
postgraduate programme in the IIM-A. He is a member of
visiting faculty at various academic institutions in the
United States, the
Netherlands, Singapore and Cyprus. He has also taught
extensively in national and international executive
training programmes.
Barua has been a consultant to many public and private
organizations in manufacturing, banking and financial
services sector. He has prepared policy papers for the
finance minister, the governor of the Reserve Bank of
India and the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce
and Industry (Ficci).
Barua has published over 200 papers, articles and cases
and has co-authored two books - "Portfolio Management"
and "The Great Indian Scam". The second book became a
bestseller.
He has developed several management games software for
training and managerial decision-making. His specific
areas of interest include capital markets and portfolio
theory, international finance, operation research and
decision sciences, applied statistics and management
information and control systems.
After completing Master of Technology from IIT, Kanpur
in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research, he
worked for two years in the industry before completing
his doctorate in Management from IIM, Ahmedabad. He
joined the IIM, Ahmedabad faculty in 1980.
Damodar Acharya back home, heads
IIT Kharagpur
NEW DELHI : The chief of the All India Council for
Technical Education, Prof Damodar Acharya has quit the
top monitoring body and joined the Indian Institute of
 Technology, Kharagpur
as its new director.
His appointment comes into effect from July 2. Dr
Acharya had an year to go at the AICTE, but he quit the hot-seat
to grab a five-year term at the IIT.
Confirming his return to IIT Kharagpur, Dr Acharya told
Academics-India that Kharagpur is far better than
the "hustle and bustle of New Delhi".
Dr Acharya had been uncomfortable at the AICTE all his
tenure because the Minister for Human Resource
Development Mr Arjun Singh favoured the vice-chairman,
Dr R A Yadav, who invariable showed more guts and gusto
in administration. With the appointment of a new
member-secretary the apple-cart had tilted in favour of Dr
Acharya, though for a short period.
Dr Acharya is the first full-time chairperson of
the AICTE to leave mid-term to join any other
institution, but then IIT Kharagpur holds a special
meaning for him as essentially he is a professor of
Industrial Engineering and Management at the IIT. "Its
like my home-coming", he told Academics-India.
Dr Acharya took over from Prof Shishir K. Dube
whose term expired on June 30. Dr Dube received his
Ph.D. (Fluid Mechanics) degree from Lucknow University
in 1972 and later worked at the India Meteorological
Department from 1972-78. Subsequently he joined the IIT
Delhi faculty as the Head of the Centre for Atmospheric
Sciences (1995-98) and Dean of Industrial Research &
Development (2001-02).
Dr Dube is a strong contendor for the post of Director,
Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT),
Allahabad.
Dr Acharya has supervised 30 Ph.D students and published
over 80 papers in national and international journals.
His academic contribution has been recognised by two of
the four national Academies: Indian National Academy of
Engineering and the National Academy of Sciences.
Bharathidasan
University vice-chancellor
CHENNAI : Dr M. Ponnavaikko, Directorate of
Research, Virtual Education and International
Initiatives, SRM University, Kattankalathur, has been
appointed the new Vice-Chancellor of Bharathidasan
University, by the Governor-Chancellor Surjit Singh
Barnala.
Mr. Ponnavaikko will hold office for a period of three
years from the date of assumption of office, a press
release said.
IIT-M director M S Ananth gets a second term
CHENNAI : Dr M.S. Ananth, Director of IIT, Madras,
has been given a second term by the Ministry of Human
Resources Development.
He assumed charge on July 2,
2007,
a press release said.
Professor
Ananth, whose stint at the IIT Madras began in 1972 as
Assistant Professor, was appointed Head of the
Department of Chemical Engineering in 1991.
He later
became the Dean of Academic Courses in 1995. He also
held additional charge as Dean of Academic Research from
1997 to 1998. He was made Director in 2001.
He is an
alumnus of the A.C College of Technology and holds a
Ph.D from the University of Florida.
Tej Pratap Singh is Palampur farm varsity VC
SHIMLA : On June 29, 2007 Himachal Pradesh government
appointed eminent farm scientist Tej Pratap Singh as the
vice-chancellor of Chaudhary Shrawan Kumar Krishi
Vishwavidyalaya, Palampur.
He will replace D.S.Rathore, who completes his term on
July 4,
2007.
Singh has been appointed for three years. It will be his
second term as the vice-chancellor of the university as
he earlier held the post from 2001 t0 2004.
Hailing from Preyee village in Kullu, Singh specialises
in mountain agriculture. He headed the mountain farming
division of the International Centre for Integrated
Mountain Development, Kathmandu, from 1987 to 2000. He
also remained executive director of the International
Competence Centre for Organic Agriculture, Bangalore,
from 2005 to 2006.
He worked with the Planning Commission for preparing the
11th Plan for the organic agriculture sector and also
remained a consultant to the National Commission for
Farmers. He has 30 years’ experience of project and
programme management, policy research and institution
leadership.
Singh has 52 research papers to his credit and has
authored and edited 38 books.
Vivek Rai is Karnataka open varsity
vice-chancellor
MYSORE: B A Vivek Rai has been appointed as the
Vice-Chancellor of Karnataka State Open University (KSOU).
Dr. Rai, who resigned as Vice-Chancellor of Hampi
Kannada University on June 27,
2007 took over as the third
Vice-Chancellor of KSOU on June 28. 
Prof. Rai
confirmed from Hampi that he received the appointment
order from the Governor’s office on June 27 afternoon.
Expressing
happiness over his appointment, Prof. Rai said that he
would strive to develop the university in a constructive
manner.
The most
challenging issue before Prof. Rai is the regularisation
of the services of 228 temporary employees. The issue
made headlines in recent weeks after Chief Minister H.D.
Kumaraswamy intervened and instructed Prof. Rao to take
back the employees.
The post-Kumaraswamy’s
visit to the campus resulted in several developments,
with Prof. Rao going on a long leave, notification for
the appointment to 268 posts was issued and the
Governor’s order for vacating the temporary employees
from the departments describing their presence on the
campus as “illegal” was issued.
The Search
Committee had reportedly recommended Dr. Vivek Rai,
Mysore University Prasaranaga Director R.V.S. Sundaram
and Bari, professor of History, Kuvempu University, to
the post.
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