NEW DELHI: Nalanda University Chancellor George Yeo has asserted that the varsity’s governing board has “left open the possibility” of reappointing current Vice-Chancellor Gopa Sabharwal for another five-year term.
The governing board met in Rajgir, Bihar, on Saturday and decided to set up a five-member panel for taking a call on the appointment.
Express had reported that the panel was a search committee that would shortlist names which would be forwarded to the President, who is the Visitor of the Nalanda University, to choose from.
However, the Nalanda University Chancellor has in a statement disputed the information. “The governing board has left open the possibility of reappointing the existing Vice-Chancellor for a second term,” said Yeo.
“The five-member appointment committee which I chair will deliberate on whether the current Vice-Chancellor should be reappointed or the search for a new Vice-Chancellor be made. The board will then put up a formal recommendation to the university Visitor, the President, for his approval,” he added.
As per clause 12(1) of the Nalanda University’s 2012 statute, the Vice-Chancellor is appointed “by the visitor from a panel of not less than three persons recommended by the governing board and if the Visitor does not accept the recommendations, he may invite fresh a recommendation”.
This effectively means that the Naland University governing board has to compulsorily forward at least three names to the President, as reported by Express.
When asked for further clarification on the matter, Nalanda University responded that the second clause in the statute noted that the Vice-Chancellor would be appointed for five years and “shall be eligible for reappointment”.
“If you read the above clause in conjunction with the clause 12(1) you will understand what the Chancellor is saying,” a representative said.