The suspense over selection of the Vice-Chancellor for Odisha University of Agriculture (OUAT) is finally over. The Dean of College of Agriculture, Manoranjan Kar, is the new Vice-Chancellor of the agriculture university.
Kar, who will take charge on Monday, said his immediate focus will be on bringing about necessary changes in curriculum and extension. “More stress would be laid on research and development of technological implements that would help farmers,” he said. After D P Ray retired from the Vice-Chancellor’s post on December 17, the Principal Secretary of Agriculture Department R L Jamuda was officiating as the university’s Vice-Chancellor.
It is learnt that the Governor had short-listed five persons for the post __ Kar, OUAT Dean (extension education) Sankarsan Nanda, retired Professor Dibakar Nayak, former Dean (students’ welfare) Buddhadev Mishra and former Professor of the College of Basic Sciences and Humanities Asutosh Samantray. Delay in selection of VC led to non-disposal of files pertaining to academic and administrative matters of the university.