B. Thimme Gowda, new Vice-Chancellor (VC) of a now smaller Bangalore University, was a busy man on Tuesday. His phone was constantly buzzing with endless congratulatory messages pouring in.
In a telephonic interview with The Hindu, he spoke about his preparedness for his new role and what his plans are for a university that is set to open a new chapter from this academic year.
You have come very close to becoming a Vice-Chancellor thrice before...
Yes, I was shortlisted to be the VC of University of Mysore, Mangalore University and Karnatak University: but the job of Bangalore University’s VC is considered one of the toughest.I know the ins and outs of the functioning of the university. Whatever problems there are, I will try to sort it out with cooperation from the others.
If there is no cooperation, I will have to take a tough stand.
Now that Bangalore University has been divided, has it made your job any easier?
It has made my work relatively easier.
You may be aware that there is already some unrest among the existing staff about having to give up the Central College campus and so on. How will you deal with it?
We can sit across the table (with all the stakeholders) and arrive at an amicable solution.
What are your immediate priorities?
I will try to bring Bangalore University on a par with the other model institutions such as University of Mysore.
Your appointment has not been free of controversies as one member of the search committee was absent. Are you not afraid of the uncertainty that it causes?
I would not like to comment on that.
