Bangalore University’s wait for a new Vice-Chancellor (VC) is over. After much speculation, B. Thimme Gowda, professor of chemistry, Mangalore University, has been appointed 16th VC of the recently divided university.
Higher Education Minister C.T. Ravi confirmed the appointment on Tuesday at a ceremony to present The Bharat Scouts and Guides awards.
He said Prof. Gowda was among the eminent scholars in the State and deserved the position.
The new Vice-Chancellor has the onerous responsibility of setting things right at Bangalore University, he added.
According to the appointment order (dated February 4) issued by Governor H R Bhardwaj, who is Chancellor of Universities, Prof. Gowda’s tenure will be of four years. Prof. Gowda is expected to take charge on Wednesday.
Tasks ahead
The post has been vacant ever since former Vice-Chancellor N. Prabhu Dev resigned in October 2012, four months prematurely, to be chairperson of the Karnataka Health Systems Commission. N. Rangaswamy, who was the senior-most dean at the time, took over as acting VC.
Prof. Gowda, who came closest to the VC’s job as in-charge VC of Mangalore University way back in October 2005, takes over Bangalore University’s reins at a time when it is on the cusp of a major change.
Earlier this year, the State government executed the long-pending plan of bifurcating the university.
Consequently, Prof. Gowda will be in charge of the entity at the Jnanabharathi campus, which will have approximately 330 colleges under its purview.
