Patna: An acute shortage of academic administrators in the universities of Bihar for the last two years has put question mark on reforms in higher education in Bihar. At present, nine out of 13 universities are without regular vice-chancellors.
Shortage of vice-chancellors too has hit the working of the universities as one vice-chancellor is holding offices at four universities from Darbhanga, Patna to Ara. On June 14, the responsibility of the vice-chancellor of Bihar Agriculture University was given to Dr Ravindra Kumar, director of extension services. Even the offices of the vice-chancellors in non conventional universities like Maulana Majrahul Haq Arabic and Persian university and Aryabhatta Knowledge University are lying vacant and held on ad-hoc basis by vice-chancellors of other universities.
On June 2, Chancellor-cum-Governor, Fagu Chauhan removed Prof D P Tiwari, vice-chancellor of Veer Kunwar Singh University, Ara, on charges of not co-operating with the two members inquiry committee set up by Raj Bhawan to probe administrative irregularities. Chancellor handed over the university to Magadh University Vice-Chancellor, Rajendra Prasad. This was the first case when a vice-chancellor was forced to go on leave by the Chancellor since he protested against inquiry by teachers junior to him.
Prof Surendra Prasad Singh, vice-chancellor of L N Mithila University, Darbhanga is lucky as he is holding offices of vice-chancellor at Patliputra University, Aryabhatt Knowledge University and Arabic and Persian University.
Prof Hanuman Prasad Pandey-vice-chancellor of B R Ambedakar University is holding office of VC of Nalanda Open University . Neelima Gupta, vice chancellor Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University has been given additional charge of Munger University too.
Purnia University pro-vice chancellor, Prof Rajnath Yadav is holding additional as VC. In neighboring B N Mandal University, Madhepura, a senior teacher, R K P Raman has been asked to look after the job of vice-chancellor.
Nine out of 13 universities in the state are without vice-chancellors. Majority of the universities are having pro-vice-chancellors, registrars, FAs holding charges in more than two universities.
Now, the chief minister, Nitish Kumar on Friday announced a separate Sports university that would be opened in the state.
Chancellor's office has received over 500 applications for the posts of vice-chancellors in different universities. The search and screening committees are examining these applications and inviting the candidates in batches for interview. In 2013, Supreme Court had quashed appointments of all vice-chancellors made by the then Chancellor, Devanand Kunwar as they were irregular.
