Hyderabad: The Telangana state government appointed vice-chancellors for eight universities on Monday. Prof. S. Ramachandram, currently the principal of Osmania Engineering College, has been chosen as vice-chancellor for Osmania University, which has been a hotbed for student agitations for the last several years.
The V-C post in OU has been vacant since July 14, 2014 after Prof. S. Satyanarayana retired. There was speculation that an IPS official with administrative experience may be handed the reins of the varsity, but the government finally chose an academician.
Dr A. Venugopal Reddy, retired professor from Computer Science Department at OU was appointed as JNTU-Hyderabad V-C. Prof. R. Sayanna, retired professor in Physics from OU was chosen to head Kakatiya varsity. Prof. P. Sambaiah, a retired professor from Kakatiya University, was given responsibility of Telangana University.
Prof. K. Seetharama Rao, a retired professor from KU was appointed BR Ambedkar Open University VC. Prof. S.V. Satyanarayana, retired professor in Telugu from OU will be taking over as Telugu University V-C and Prof. B. Rajarathnam, Professor of Commerce at Osmania University will be the new V-C for Palamuru University.
Dr V. Praveen Rao, acting as Special Officer for Prof. Jayashankar Telangana State Agriculture University has been made its Vice-Chancellor. Although word did the rounds that Prof. Satyanarayana was named VC for Rajiv Gandhi University for Knowledege and Technology, an official announcement was awaited.
The new VCs for OU, JNTU, Telangana University, BR Ambedkar University and Telugu University took charge the same day the announcement was made. “I will study in detail all aspects and take decisions accordingly for smooth functioning of the administration,” Prof. Ramachandram of Osmania University said.
JNTU VC Venugopal Reddy said he will give top priority to fill teacher vacancies in the premier technology university in the state.
With these announcements, only a few varsities — Satavahana, Jawaharal Nehru Fine Arts, Narasimha Rao State Veterinary and Konda Lakshman Horticulture have been left without a head. Formalities for these varsities are likely to be completed at the earliest.
The VC appointment process kick-started with appoint of Prof. Khaja Hussain as the new head for Mahatma Gandhi University, a few days ago.
