One-year extension for VTU VC

Dr H Maheshappa, vice-chancellor of the Visvesvaraya Technological University, was on Monday given an extension of one year by Governor H R Bhardwaj. This puts to rest speculations over the appointment of a new V-C to the university.

“I have indeed received a notification from the Governor confirming my continuation as the V-C of VTU for another year,” said Maheshappa.

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Maheshappa’s term as the VC had ended on June 30. Thereafter, a high level search committee was appointed comprising Dr Chidananda Murthy, former V-C of Kuvempu University and Dr D H Rao, former principal, Gogte Institute of Engineering, VTU (university’s nominees), Professor P Balaram, Director, Indian Institute of Science (State government’s nominee) and Prof L M Patnaik, former V-C of Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, Pune (Governor’s nominee).

While the committee met on June 29, Balaram was conspicuous by his absence. According to sources, there was disagreement between the governor’s nominee and the university’s nominees over one name for the post.

This, combined with the absence of Balaram at the meeting, led the governor to dissolve the search committee and use his discretionary powers to extend Maheshappa’s term, albeit for a year.