Panaji: With the term of the current vice-chancellor (VC) of Goa University Harilal Menon ending in Sep this year, the office of the chancellor has begun the process of shortlisting a new candidate for the post. The VC’s term is five years.A search-cum-selection committee has been constituted by the chancellor and Goa governor Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju. This committee will recommend suitable names for the post of the VC of Goa University.The search-cum-selection committee has accordingly called for applications “from distinguished academicians fulfilling qualifications”.The Goa University Statute SA-6(1)(b)(i) prescribes the qualifications and experience for the post of Goa University VC. “A person possessing the highest level of competence, integrity, morals and institutional commitment shall be appointed as VC. The person appointed as a VC should be a distinguished academician, with a minimum of 10 years’ experience as a professor in a university or 10 years’ experience in a reputed research and/or academic administrative organisation with proof of having demonstrated academic leadership”, state the Statute.The search-cum-selection committee has called for applications up to May 25, after which shortlisted candidates will be called for personal interaction with the committee.Menon was appointed VC of Goa University on Sep 4, 2021.The last time around, after the term of the then VC Varun Sahni had ended, a record of more than 250 persons had applied for the post of Goa University VC. Twenty-three academicians had been shortlisted from these for the final interview, which led to Menon’s selection.Among the applicants were several serving professors from IITs, a former director of the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER), and another senior GU professor.Menon, who has served as dean of the School of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences at Goa University, was the first full-time academic from within the university to be its VC.
