PU VC hunt enters decisive phase, selection panel meets today

Chandigarh: The contest over who will lead Panjab University next enters a crucial phase on Tuesday as the all-woman search/selection committee meets for the first time after applications closed for the vice-chancellor’s post. The race includes incumbent Prof Renu Vig and several prominent academic administrators.

The meeting assumes significance as incumbent vice-chancellor Prof Renu Vig, whose tenure was extended till July 29 to prevent an administrative vacuum, is herself among the contenders for a full term, according to officials familiar with the process. Sources indicated that her candidature has received recommendations from senior quarters, including a former diplomat and holder of a high constitutional office.

Apart from Vig, several names have emerged as frontrunners, even as the possibility of a surprise entrant remains open.

Among those being discussed prominently is Prof Jaspal Singh Sandhu, vice-chancellor of Lovely Professional University and former secretary of the University Grants Commission, who took charge at LPU earlier this year after serving in multiple higher education and accreditation roles.

Also seen as key contenders are Prof Tankeshwar Kumar, vice-chancellor of Central University of Haryana and a former Panjab University physics professor, and Prof Sanjay Kaushik, vice-chancellor of Gurugram University and a former PU academic, officials said.

The leadership selection process gained momentum in March after the Vice President of India, in his capacity as PU Chancellor, approved a four-month extension for Vig till July 29 while constituting the search/selection committee to recommend names for the post.

The committee is headed by Lt Gen (Retd) Madhuri Kanitkar, vice-chancellor of Maharashtra University of Health Sciences. The other members are Prof Shashikala Wanjari, vice-chancellor of the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), New Delhi, and Prof Vibha Tandon, director of CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata.

Officials said Tuesday’s meeting, the first after applications closed, is expected to focus on scrutiny of candidates and evolving criteria for shortlisting. However, insiders cautioned against assuming the race is settled.

“Vice-chancellor appointments often witness dark horse entries in the later stages. Nothing is final at this point,” an official familiar with the process said.