IIT-Delhi professor M Jagadesh Kumar set to be next JNU vice-chancellor
President selected Kumar from panel of four shortlisted contenders
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Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Dr M Jagadesh Kumar, a professor of electrical engineering from IIT-Delhi, is set to become the new vice-chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), sources told The Indian Express Wednesday.
JNU’s current vice-chancellor, Professor Sudhir Kumar Sopory, completes his term on January 27.
President Pranab Mukherjee, the Visitor of all central universities, selected Kumar from a panel of four contenders that included R NK Bamezai, genetics professor associated with the School of Life Sciences at JNU, scientist Virander Singh Chauhan, a leading name in malaria research and Ramakrishna Ramaswamy, former vice chancellor of Hyderabad University, according to sources.
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The four names were shortlisted by a search-cum-selection panel headed by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) director D P Singh.
Chauhan was also a leading contender for the post, said sources. Kumar has completed his Masters and PhD from IIT-Madras, according to his bio-data. He has worked in the field of nanoelectronic devices, nanoscale device modeling and simulation, innovative device design and power semi-conductor devices. He has published four book chapters and more than 180 articles in journals on topics concerned. Six patent applications, based on his research, have also been filed.
When contacted, Kumar said he had appeared for an interview for the V-C’s post but had received no intimation about being selected for it.
On his vision for the university, Kumar said, “JNU is among the best universities in the country and I want to take it further. If selected, I will first interact with students to seek their feedback on improving campus facilities. I also want to ensure that JNU becomes the best centre of scientific research, one which is relevant to the country’s needs”.
Meanwhile, a senior office-bearer of Vijnana Bharati, a wing of the RSS involved with the swadeshi science movement, told The Indian Express that Kumar has been associated with the organisation. Renowned scientists V K Saraswat, Anil Kakodkar and Vijay Bhatkar are patrons of Vijnana Bharati.
While Kumar denied that he was associated with Vijnana Bharati, he said it was a “good organisation doing good work”.
“I have attended its function in IIT Delhi last month,” he added.
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