NEW DELHI:Nalanda University’s controversial Vice-Chancellor (VC) Gopa Sabharwal will spend some more time in office despite her term officially ending next month. With the government taking time to find her successor, the academician will carry on as the VC.
The Nalanda University, which began its first academic session last year, appointed former Singapore foreign minister George Yeo as the new chancellor in July. Yeo succeeded Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, who refused to continue for a second term.
With Yeo taking over, the university was set to appoint a new VC, but The Sunday Standard has learnt that the governing board agreed to give an extension to Sen’s favourite Sabharwal. The governing board did not meet to take the decision, but a proposal was circulated by Yeo directly to the members, who gave their consent last month. “Decision by circulation is allowed within the rules,” said a senior government official.
As per the Nalanda University Act 2010, Sabharwal’s term can be extended up to a year. However, she has been given an extension till the appointment of the next vice-chancellor (or if she is reappointed).
Sabharwal’s appointment as vice-chancellor in 2011 had been contentious as there were allegations that it was an arbitrary decision by Sen, who overlooked candidates like historian Ramachandra Guha and public policy commentator Pratap Bhanu Mehta.
With Yeo taking charge recently, he had to be in favour of Sabharwal’s continuation in office for a limited period. “It was felt that both the chancellor and the vice-chancellor can’t be completely new,” said an official. Sabharwal doesn’t have many supporters within the government, with the latest grievance being over the lack of awareness campaign over the start of the academic session. Meanwhile, the governing board, which is mainly the continuation of the Nalanda mentor group, will be meeting in December for the first time after Yeo’s appointment.
There is likely to be a discussion on the proposed amendment to the Nalanda University Act, which was tabled by the UPA government but is yet to be taken on board by the NDA.
A discussion on the bill is imminent as its adoption by Parliament should lead to a reconstitution of the governing board. “How long can the Nalanda mentor group continue to run the show,” said a senior official.
However, waiting for a reconstituted governing board to take the decision on the new vice chancellor may delay the process as the amendment bill may require modification. “The governing board also realises that there has to be some changes required (in the bill),” the official added.
Therefore, the government is hoping that the Nalanda mentor group-cum-governing board would soon begin the process of choosing the university’s principal academic and executive officer. Incidentally, Sen is still a member of the governing board.
A search committee, constituted by governing board, will have to suggest three names to the President, who is the Visitor of the university. “Even if Sabharwal’s name is on the list of three, the ultimate decision will be taken by the President,” suggested another official.
Yeo has already made his mark as vice-chancellor by setting up an executive committee, which would take faster decisions in between the meetings of the governing board.
So far, the Union ministry has been rather pleased with Yeo’s no-nonsense functioning style, which is quite contrasting to his predecessor Sen.
Even during appointments at the reconstituted governing board, officials indicated that the government will not take a heavy-handed approach. “This is an international project which is discussed regularly at bilateral and multilateral meetings. We have to get it right. This is a matter of India’s prestige,” an official said.