Bangalore University (BU) Vice-Chancellor N Prabhu Dev has confirmed that he has received the order of the state government appointing him as the chairman of the Karnataka Health System Commission (KSHSC).
But is he leaving BU? Here are some excerpts from his interaction with reporters at his Central College office on Monday.
Will you accept your new assignment?
I have received the order and have gone through its contents. Before making a decision, I need to assess the pros and cons of the post that has been offered to me. I have not arrived at a decision as yet.
Everyone seems confident that you will accept the new post...
I cannot just leave. I can make a decision only after I consult various stakeholders. I have initiated the consultation process, which includes meeting the Governor, Chief Minister, Higher Education minister, non-teaching staff, Academic Council members and the Syndicate. I have already met the Governor in this regard.
And what did the Governor say?
That is between the Governor and me. I will divulge the details at the right time.
What is it that still keeps you at BU?
See, I am a worker. I did not come here for the lure of anything. I have no expectations even when I leave. When I do leave, I will have nothing to lose.
The Government is offering you a Cabinet rank.
What’s new in that? The post of chairperson of all Commissions is usually a Cabinet rank.
A major complaint against you is that you have ‘failed’ to take everyone into confidence.
Well, I tried to take everyone into confidence before taking any decision. But frankly, many were not worth taking into confidence.
What do you regret and cherish as VC?
You are speaking as though I have already retired. Well, I consider the School of Economics episode as a loss personally. And my biggest achievement would be the examination reforms. No other university in the state has a separate examination ordinance, but the BU does.
If you do decide to leave, what happens then?
Technically, I will have to resign from the VC’s post. It will be up to the Governor to accept it. How will we know if you decide to leave? If I decide to leave, I will call a press conference and keep everything on the table. I will leave royally and not run away like a coward. The change of guard will happen in front of everyone