Bhubaneswar, Oct. 4: Odisha Governor and Chancellor of state universities Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati has directed all state public universities to expedite the recruitment of teaching staff and complete the process by the end of November.
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The directive came during a high-level review meeting on faculty recruitment held at Lok Bhavan, where Vice-Chancellors and senior officials discussed the status of vacant teaching posts across universities.
The Governor asked universities to begin the recruitment process by the first week of November, leaving institutions with a clear deadline to complete appointments before the month ends.
Merit to Remain the Top Priority
Emphasising the importance of academic quality, Kambhampati said merit must remain the central consideration while selecting teaching faculty.
He stressed that universities should not compromise on the quality of appointments and must make every effort to attract the best available academic talent.
The Governor also suggested a recruitment approach aimed at ensuring wider participation by eligible candidates. Instead of eliminating large numbers of applicants at the initial scrutiny stage, universities could consider inviting all eligible candidates for interviews, allowing selection panels to assess their academic credentials and suitability more comprehensively.
Focus on Green and Sustainable Campuses
The meeting also covered issues beyond faculty recruitment, with the Governor encouraging universities to adopt sustainable practices on their campuses.
Referring to the IGBC Platinum Green certification received by Odisha Lok Bhavan, he urged universities to make better use of their existing green spaces and work towards obtaining similar green certifications.
He also recommended expanding the use of solar energy on university campuses through self-funded projects or Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) models.
Uniform Tenure for Vice-Chancellors
Another issue discussed was the tenure of Vice-Chancellors in state public universities.
The Governor called for a uniform tenure policy, pointing out that the existing terms vary between institutions, with some Vice-Chancellors serving three-year terms and others four years.
Government Sets November Deadline
Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj backed the Governor’s directions and asked Vice-Chancellors to prepare specific timelines to ensure that the recruitment target is achieved within the stipulated period.
Higher Education Commissioner-cum-Secretary Aravind Agrawal presented details on the existing faculty vacancies and the status of recruitment across state universities.
Vice-Chancellors, Registrars and senior officials from the Higher Education Department and Lok Bhavan attended the meeting.
With the November deadline now set, universities are expected to accelerate the recruitment process and address long-pending faculty shortages, a move aimed at strengthening teaching and academic activities across Odisha’s higher education institutions.
