Patna: The Chancellor’s Secretariat has received an unprecedented 8,000 applications for 10 vice-chancellor posts and has begun scrutinising candidates from 28 states and diverse professional backgrounds, including IITs, IIMs, NITs and leading research institutions.Applications for at least two universities have been screened and eligible candidates shortlisted for interviews, which are likely to be held soon, sources in Lok Bhawan said.What sets the exercise apart is not only the sheer volume of applications but also the diversity of the candidates. The applicant pool includes academicians and professionals from IITs, IIMs and NITs, scientists associated with space and agricultural research institutions, experts in law and public administration, industry professionals, and individuals with experience in army administration. Several nationally recognised scholars, including Padma awardees, are also said to be among the contenders.Applications have been received from 28 states, potentially giving Bihar one of its broadest talent pools ever for university leadership positions.The first phase of the selection process covers four universities that have been functioning without regular vice-chancellors for several months: Magadh University, Veer Kunwar Singh University, Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University and Maulana Mazharul Haque Arabic and Persian University. Search committees will subsequently take up the remaining six universities.Governor-cum-Chancellor Syed Ata Hasnain has constituted search committees for the universities. The selection process is expected to focus on academic credentials, administrative experience and leadership abilities. The Chancellor’s Secretariat is aiming to complete the exercise expeditiously.Even as the search for new vice-chancellors gathers pace, the chancellor has curtailed the powers of six VCs nearing the end of their tenure.The vice-chancellors of LNMU, JP University, B N Mandal University, Aryabhatta Knowledge University, K S D Sanskrit University and B R A Bihar University have been barred from taking policy decisions, making appointments or transfers, launching new schemes, or undertaking fresh works involving financial liabilities.Any unavoidable policy or financial decision will now require prior approval from the chancellor, Lok Bhawan sources said.basant.pu@gmail.com
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