Nagpur: All speculations over the last several days about who would head the Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) will be put to rest on Tuesday, what with the RTMNU all set to get a new vice-chancellor. The process of appointment of VC of Nagpur varsity has entered its last phase.
According to sources, the Governor is slated to interview the top five candidates recommended by the selection committee at 4 pm on Tuesday and by late evening, the new VC”s name will also be announced. Sources at Governor’s office informed that Dr Siddarth Kane and Dr Sanjay Deshmukh are the frontrunners for the post. While Dr Kane is from Nagpur, Dr Deshmukh is from Mumbai.
The list of top five candidates includes two from Vidarbha. The RTMNU is awaiting appointment of a full-time VC after the resignation of former VC Dr Vilas Sapkal in April last.
Earlier, the selection committee had called 18 candidates out of 167 aspiring candidates on April 4 and April 6 for presentation at Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Rural Industrialisation (MGIRI),Wardha. On Monday, the selection committee sent the names of the shortlisted candidates to Governor’s office. Responding promptly, the Governor’s office has summoned the five 5 candidates for interview on Tuesday.
The final five candidates are head of life sciences department at Mumbai university Dr Sanjay Deshmukh, HoD of statistics at RTMNU Dr Siddharth Kane, HoD of biology at Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University Dr Mahendrakumar Rai, HoD of electronics at North Maharashtra University of Jalgaon Dr D K Gautam and principal of Government Engineering College at Karad Dr PM Khodke.
According to sources, there is neck and neck competition between Dr Deshmukh and Dr Kane for the VC’s post. Dr Deshmukh has a vast academic experience and has a considerable contribution in the field of research. While Dr Kane is well-acquainted with the working of the RTMNU administration, he played a major role in promoting the use of technology in the varsity. It may mentioned here that he played a crucial role in getting NAAC’s ‘A’ grade for RTMNU.
