14 Odisha universities get new VCs; Governor announces names

Fourteen Odisha universities will have new leadership at the helm after Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati announced a slate of vice-chancellor appointments. The governor shared the names of the new VCs on his official X handle.

“I am confident that under their vision and guidance, these universities will continue to excel in education, research, and innovation, shaping the future of higher education in Odisha,” the governor's post read.

The announcement includes major institutions such as Dharanidhar University, Gangadhar Meher University, Khallikote Unitary University, Madhusudan Law University, Maa Manikeshwari University, Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University, Rama Devi Women’s University, Rajendra University, Shree Jagannath Sanskrit University, Vikram Dev University, Odia University, Utkal University, Ravenshaw University, and Fakir Mohan University.

Highlighting the importance of these appointments, the chancellor’s office noted that the new leaders will play a crucial role in shaping the future of higher education across the state. The press release stated, “The Chancellor extends his best wishes to the new Vice Chancellors as they assume this vital responsibility of guiding higher education in Odisha.”

Odisha universities: Key leadership appointments

Among the new appointees, Sanjaya Kumar Patro will lead Dharanidhar University, Byomakesh Tripathy takes charge at Gangadhar Meher University, and Asima Sahu has been appointed to Khallikote Unitary University. Other notable appointments include Pawan Kumar Agrawal at Maa Manikeshwari University, Sibaram Tripathy at Madhusudan Law University, and Mahendra Kumar Mohanty at Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University.

Jyotsna KB Rout has been appointed at Rama Devi Women’s University, Prabhat Kumar Mohapatra will head Shree Jagannath Sanskrit University, and Hrushikesh Senapaty takes over at Vikram Dev University. Odia University will now be led by Satyanarayan Acharya.

The state’s flagship universities have also received new leadership. Chandi Prasad Nanda has been appointed at Utkal University, Arka Kumar Das Mohapatra at Ravenshaw University, and Santosh Kumar Tripathy at Fakir Mohan University.

These appointments were made under the powers granted by the proviso to sub-section (1) of section 6 of the Odisha Universities Act, 1989, and by the proviso to section 8 of the Odia University Act, 2017.