Mysuru: The term of the fourth in-charge Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mysore (UoM), Associate Professor Ningamma C. Betsur, comes to an end on May 26, as her term as Dean of Education Faculty ends. She took charge as in-charge VC on May 3.

The University, which celebrated its centenary about 15 months ago, has still not seen a full-time VC. In this period it has already seen four in-charge VCs and the fifth one will take charge on May 26 or May 28.

“It is a matter of regret that the UoM which has the distinction of celebrating its centenary unfortunately does not have a full-time VC for nearly 15 months after the tenure of the earlier VC ended on Jan. 10, 2017. Instead, the time has now come for the fifth in-charge VC to take charge,” said the President of Mysuru Vishwavidyanilaya Samshodakara Sangha (University of Mysore Research Scholars Association) D. Mahadevaswamy.

In a press release, he has stated that in spite of a single party rule for five years, the previous Government did not think it fit to appoint a full-time VC which has led to many administrative and academic decisions being stalled.

The Association has charged that UoM Registrar D. Bharathi has not bothered to fill in the backlog vacancies even though the then Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa and MLA P.M. Narendraswamy had cleared the deck for the UoM to make the appointments.

Hence, the Association has demanded the removal of Registrar Bharathi and instead appoint an experienced Professor as Registrar as also the appointment of full-time VC, said Mahadevaswamy in the release.

Prof. Umesh’s name on top

Meanwhile, Registrar Bharathi, speaking to Star of Mysore here this morning said, “The tenure of the present in-charge VC will come to an end on May 26. We have sent the list of five Deans of various faculties to the Governor’s Office and the name of the senior-most Dean Prof. T.K. Umesh, Dean, Faculty of  Science and Technology, is at the top of the list. Since he is the senior-most, he is likely to be appointed as the fifth in-charge VC and the in-charge VC’s name will be communicated to the University on May 26. Prof. Umesh’s tenure as Dean will end in Sept. this year.”

Asked about the appointment of a full-time VC, she said the Search Committee headed by former VTU Vice-Chancellor Prof. H.P. Kincha will meet at the earliest and recommend three names.

However, it is unlikely that a full-time VC will be appointed any time soon as the government formation has to take place and only then will a decision be taken.

After full-time VC Prof.K.S. Rangappa demitted office, the in-charge VCs include Prof. Yashwanth Dongre, Prof. Dayanand Mane and Prof. C. Basavaraju.