ROURKELA: The controversy over the Centre asking the Director of National Institute of Technology-Rourkela (NIT-R) Prof Sunil Kumar Sarangi and honorary Chairperson of the Board of Governors (BoG) Vasantha Ramaswamy to resign has deepened with NIT-R faculty rallying behind Prof Sarangi.
Prof Sarangi would tender his resignation on Saturday.
Referring to the whole controversy, the NIT-R Teachers’ Association (NITRTA) president Prof Bibhuti Bhusan Biswal, who is also the Dean (Faculty Welfare) and head of the Centre for Technology Innovation and Industry Relation of the institute, on Friday termed the entire episode uncalled for. Prof Sarangi took charge of NIT-R as the first regular Director in May 2003 and his third tenure was to end on May 24.
Talking to this paper, Ramaswamy refused to share what transpired between her and the Ministry of Human Resource Development and when she would submit her resignation.
She said she was appointed by the President and she tried to act as per laid down guidelines to protect interest of the NIT-R and its stakeholders.
Prof Sarangi said, “I have no regrets and my decision to resign is in larger interest of the institute. The MHRD would send our resignations to the President. I look forward to future academic life. It will be a pleasure to work for the betterment of NIT-R and technical education in the country.”