Mysuru: It is nearly four months since the then Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mysore (UoM) Prof. K.S. Rangappa demitted office (Jan. 10, 2017). However, the situation in the hundred-year-old University has come to such a pass that it has forced the State Government, which was keeping mum, to take action and as a result the Search Committee headed by former Vice-Chancellor of Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) Prof. H. P. Kincha is meeting on May 12 in Bengaluru to select a person for the new VC’s post.

According to sources, there are nearly 150 aspirants for the post of the Vice-Chancellor and out of them ten are likely to be shortlisted on May 12 during the first meeting and out of that three or four will be picked before the final name is chosen. However, the indications are that the appointment will take a little longer than is anticipated, the sources added.

Eventhough everyone wants meritorious candidates or aspirants to be picked, the caste factor could play a big role in the picking of the VC. The chances of a Vokkaliga or a Lingayat being picked this time is remote and hence a Brahmin or a Kuruba or even a Muslim could be chosen, feel the sources.

The names doing the rounds are that of UoM Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dayananda Mane, Registrar Prof. R. Rajanna, Prof. B.H. Suresh of Deparmtent of Studies in Commerce, UoM, Dr. Y.S. Siddegowda, Department of Social Work, Prof. Muzaffar H. Assadi of Department of Political Science and Dr. Syed Akheel Ahmed, former Vice-Chancellor, Yenepoya Univeristy, Mangaluru.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, former VC Prof. Rangappa said that unless a meritorious candidate is chosen the fate of the University will be bleak and it could go down in the next five years itself. Hence, the  Chief Minister and the Higher Education Minister have a huge responsibility in selecting the right person for the prestigious post of the University, he added.

An aspirant to the post told SOM, on condition of anonymity, that he had applied not only to University of Mysore but also to Bangalore University. However, he feels that his chances are slim, as there are many other considerations that work than just merit for one to become the Vice-Chancellor. He also said that though many are not eligible to apply, they have also applied and this is the reason for such a large number of aspirants.

There are times when the Search Committee shortlists three names which is then sent to the Government and which in turn selects one of the names and then sends it to the Governor, who either accepts it or could call the candidates and finally pick one.

The  interesting aspect is, in most of the occasions the Vice- Chancellor-to-be is not even interviewed but is chosen only on the basis of his or her records, said the source.

The other members of the Search Committee are Prof. H. M. Maheshwaraiah, Vice-Chancellor of Central University (Kalaburagi, who has come in place of Prof. Muniyamma), Dr. V. S. Chauhan, Member, UGC and Dr. Hari Gautham, former UGC Chairman.