Patiala, 30 January 2025: The long-delayed appointment of a regular Vice-Chancellor at Punjabi University, Patiala, is awaiting final approval from Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria after the state government cleared a panel of shortlisted candidates, according to sources.
The position has been vacant since April 2024, when Prof. Arvind’s three-year tenure ended. Until November last year, Punjab Higher Education Secretary KK Yadav held additional charge as the university’s acting Vice-Chancellor. Since then, the post has remained unoccupied.
A search committee, formed to identify suitable candidates, submitted a panel of three names to the Punjab Government weeks ago.
The committee comprised the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (Higher Education), a renowned surgeon, a Vice-Chancellor from another university, and a UGC nominee who is also a serving Vice-Chancellor, sources said.
Government insiders mentioned that while the selection file has been cleared by the Punjab Government, the appointment is pending final approval. Punjab Higher Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains stated that the process is nearly complete, and an official announcement will be made soon.
“It is a matter of days before Punjabi University gets a regular Vice-Chancellor,” Bains said.
The prolonged delay has significantly affected the university’s functioning. Punjabi University Teachers’ Association Secretary Maninder Singh mentioned that hundreds of students are still awaiting their degrees, which require the Vice-Chancellor’s signature.
“PhD scholars are stuck with their registration process, and urgent budget-related meetings need to be held. There is a total collapse of decision-making,” he said.
