Speculation has ended and Bangalore University (BU) has got its 16th Vice-Chancellor.
Mangalore University Chemistry Professor B Thimme Gowda was on Tuesday appointed as the university’s new head by Governor and Chancellor H R Bhardwaj.
“I have become the vice-chancellor in a complex time,” Prof Gowda told Express.
He said his primary objective will be to improve the university’s image which has taken a beating of late.
“We often talk about other universities becoming innovative and model universities. But why not Bangalore University which is at the heart of the State capital? I want to settle into the system, understand where the problems are and I will try to resolve them,” Prof Gowda said.
With over 500 research publications to his credit in the field of Physical Chemistry, Prof Gowda is best known for developing a new electrostatic model for evaluation of hydration energies that played a major role in the development of the Chemistry Department at Mangalore University.
On the issue of the university’s bifurcation, Prof Gowda said he would sit across the table with stakeholders and arrive at an amicable solution.
“If the other party is more reasonable, then we should agree to it. My intention will be the university’s interest,” he said.
Prof Gowda brings to the table vast academic expertise. He holds a PhD and postdoctoral research fellowship. He has been a Humboldt fellow in Germany and a visiting scientist in Japan. He was the Acting VC at Mangalore University for three months before K M Kaveriappa took over in 2006.
C T Ravi, Minister for Higher Education, while congratulating Prof Gowda, said he faces the challenge of restoring the university’s image.