Bhubaneswar: Governor and Chancellor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati has asked vice-chancellors (VCs) of state public universities to complete the recruitment for vacant teaching posts by the end of November.

The Governor was was speaking at a meeting on the ongoing recruitment of teaching faculty in state public universities at the conference room of New Abhishek Hall on the Lok Bhavan premises on Saturday.

Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, departmental Commissioner-cum-Secretary Arabinda Agrawal, vice-chancellors and registrars of state public universities and senior officials attended the meeting.

Kambhampati said filling vacant teaching posts was the next major challenge after the appointment of vice-chancellors in state universities. “After I assumed office as the Governor of Odisha, the vice-chancellors for 14 universities were appointed on a single day. Now, clear timelines should be set for completing the faculty recruitment process.  Merit should be the priority in the appointment of faculty members. Quality and merit cannot be compromised,” said the Governor.  

The Governor also suggested that all eligible applicants be called for interviews instead of extensive shortlisting and scrutiny at the initial stage. Such a process, he said, would ensure that no eligible candidate felt excluded while giving interview panels a wider pool of candidates to choose from.

Kambhampati also urged universities to pursue green certification, citing the platinum certification received by Odisha Lok Bhavan from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). Most universities already have substantial green cover, he said, adding that they could secure certification with some additional efforts.

He also sought details from universities pursuing accreditation and suggested a common tenure for vice-chancellors across state public universities. “There are some universities where the vice-chancellor has a three-year tenure and some have four years. There should be a uniformity in this regard,” said the Governor.

The Governor further urged universities to adopt solar power on their campuses, either through their own initiatives or under the Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) model.

Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj endorsed the Governor’s suggestions and asked vice-chancellors to set timelines for completing the recruitment process. Commissioner-cum-Secretary Arabinda Agrawal made a presentation on the status of teaching faculty recruitment in state public universities during the meeting.