The race has begun and close competitors are seven candidates. A mandatory 10 years of experience as professor in a reputable research or educational institution has been deemed essential for the role. The fray was thrown open Monday by the University Registrar.
To be announced by January end, word is rife that state BJP President C.R. Patil has nominated Jagdish Joshi of HRDC, Gujarat University. Former Chancellor in-charge Nilambriben Dave has suggested former chief minister’s wife Anjaliben Rupani take on the role. Alongside, each name comes with a heavyweight behind. While the current Chancellor of Ambedkar University Amiben Upadhyay has the blessings of state Sahitya Akademi chairman Vishnu Pandya, the state education minister’s brother is placing his bets on the Chancellor of Junagadh University, Chetan Trivedi. Likewise, Dr Girish Bhimani, who heads the Dept of Statistics at the varsity, is standing behind dean of management, Pratap Singh Chauhan.
Meanwhile, eye specialist Dr Kamal Dodia and Sanjeev Ojha of Jamnagar Ayurveda University remain in the lead. The current prs vice-chancellor has recommended former chief minister Vijay Rupani’s name.
The chances of the current incumbent Nitin Pethani, being re-appointed are slim. He is known to override matters relating to the University, never mind suggestions from the syndicate. A recent case in point being the recruitment of contract professors, which he cancelled at the behest of the education minister, even though the syndicate tabled recommendations otherwise.
