After months of uncertainty, Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) finally has a new Vice-Chancellor. Karisiddappa, principal of Government Engineering College, Hassan, on Saturday was appointed Vice-Chancellor for the varsity.
His appointment comes more than six months after the former Vice-Chancellor H. Maheshappa was suspended based on a fact-finding committee report submitted by the former High Court judge K.N. Keshavanarayana. As per the report, Mr. Maheshappa was responsible for the university’s financial losses and also found prima facie that he had abused his powers.
The Governor and Chancellor of VTU, Belagavi, has appointed Prof. Karisiddappa as V-C for three years from the date of assuming charge. The search committee headed by A.S. Kiran Kumar, chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation, on Friday had to scrutinise over a hundred applications for the post. “The committee shortlisted three names and sent it the Chancellor, who later picked Dr. Karisiddappa,” a source said.
Speaking to The Hindu , Prof. Karisiddappa said he would strive to make VTU one of the best varsities in the world. “My main aim will be to ensure the varsity has a good curriculum and is research oriented. I will also ensure that postgraduate programmes in VTU are on a par with those abroad,” he added. The other shortlisted names were K.R. Venugopal, principal of UVCE College, Bengaluru; and V. Sridhar, acting V-C of VTU.
Karisiddappa is principal of the Government Engineering College in Hassan
