The long wait for the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor for the University of Madras ended on Tuesday with seasoned administrator and former Professor at the varsity, R Thandavan, roped in to fill the hot seat.
Reliable sources in the varsity told Express that the selection was communicated from the Chancellor’s office on Tuesday evening, thus ending an unusually-long search that extended to a period of over three months.
A seasoned academic, Thandavan, born on October 1, 1950, was the founding faculty of the Anna Center of Public Affairs at the University of Madras where he served as professor and head.
The center, significantly, was started with an endowment provided by former Chief Minister M G Ramachandran.
A widely-respected scholar in matters of public affairs, Thandavan has a doctorate in the field of study and retired as professor in 2010. But his appointment has been welcomed by academics for his experience in administration, considered a key quality for holding the post of VC.
Sources close to him said apart from number of other key posts, he had also served as the President of the Pachaiyappa’s Trust Board in 2005 when the organisation went through turbulent times. He was also a teacher at the Pachaiyappa’s College before coming to the varsity.
Thandavan also has the rare distinction of serving the Syndicate of the institution for three tenures. Fellow members told Express Thandavan was instrumental in bringing out varied issues during his stint in the executive body and was articulate with his remarks given his sound administrative background.
The tenure of Thandavan, who would be the 43rd VC of the University, will last for three years. The tenure of the previous VC, G Thiruvasagam, ended in October this year.