The Karnataka State Open University, which was in the eye of a storm recently, is set to have a new vice-chancellor by June 26 as the present V-C Sudha Rao’s tempestuous term comes to an end on Monday.

The panel set up to recommend the successor of Ms Rao has submitted a list of names to the Governor of Karnataka, who is also the Chancellor.

The selection process has been kept “top-secret” but highly-placed sources told Deccan Herald that the names of Dr Bari, Professor of History at Kuvempu University, Dr R V S Sundaram, Professor of Telugu and Director of Prasaranga, Mysore University, and Vivek Rai, Vice-Chancellor of Hampi University, have been forwarded to the Governor.

Mr Rai’s name has been suggested despite the fact that he is a serving V-C and also member of KSOU management board.

So his appointment as the new V-C will run foul of the Karnataka Universities Act, which bars any sitting V-C from continuing in the same position for two terms irrespective of whether it is the same university or another.

But, Hampi University seems to be an exception since the V-C’s term there is for three years.

Hot favourite?

Another point is that the panel has not considered distance-education expertise while finalising the names. The committee has also sprung surprise by proposing the name of Telugu professor for the post.

Sources said Chambi Puranik, who was one of the hot favourites, was dropped mysteriously. An unhappy Puranik, who boasts an academic experience of 36 years in distance education, met the Governor to express his displeasure.

When contacted, Mr Puranik said he was unaware of the developments since he was away in China. “I’ve met the Chancellor. The details of our discussion cannot be shared with the media. I wish luck to anyone who succeeds Ms Rao and I will be around in case they need my advice in improving distance education,” he said.

As for Ms Rao, she would say no more than that she’d be happy “if they finalise the name before I go. If not, according to the KSOU rules, I will hand over charge to the registrar and depart.”