DN Jena appointed VC of Utkal University of Culture
Prof Debendra Nath Jena has been appointed as the new Vice Chancellor of Utkal University of Culture (UUC) by Odisha Governor Dr S C Jamir in his capacity as the Chancellor. Prof Jena will hold the post for three years.
The post was lying vacant after the tenure of Amiya Kumar Pattanayak expired in February this year. Odisha Tourism Secretary Ashok Tripathy was in-charge of the post after Pattanayak’s tenure came to an end. A selection committee had shortlisted three candidates this month and the Governor had met the shortlisted candidates last week.
Jena after taking over the office said, enlisting Culture University in Section 12 B of University Grants Commission is his first priority. “Once included in the UGC, the University will get financial assistance for academic excellence and infrastructure development,” he said. A UGC panel had last visited in 2001, and in absence of adequate infrastructure and faculty, rejected its demand for financial grants.
As per UGC norms, the university should have at least 30 permanent teachers – six in each department. For six departments, there are three teachers for Odissi Vocal, Painting and Hindustani Vocal, the rest being guest faculty. As a result, the university has not been able to get UGC funds till now.
“We will soon prepare an agenda for filling up vacant faculty positions and infrastructure development and submit it to Government for perusal,” Jena, reported New Indian Express.
