Governor and Chancellor Dr SC Jamir appointed Prof (Dr) Kamal Kant Misra as the new Vice-Chancellor of Utkal University of Culture. He was selected from three candidates shortlisted for personal interview held at the Raj Bhavan on Wednesday.
Dr Misra is at present Professor of Anthropology and Dean, School of Social Sciences in Central University of Hyderabad. The appointment is for a period of three years with effect from the date he assumes office or till he attains the age of 65 years or until further orders whichever is earlier.
Dr Misra did both post-graduation and PhD in Social Anthropology from Utkal University and Post-Doctoral in Social Anthropology from University of Kent at Canterbury in UK. He has teaching experience of more than 37 years in India and one year in the USA.
Regarding his professional and administrative experience, Dr Misra is the Professor of Anthropology in University of Hyderabad since 1998 and was twice Head of Department of Anthropology in 1992 and 2002-05. Earlier, he had served as Director, Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (National Museum of Mankind) at Bhopal for more than three years and held additional charge of Director of Anthropological Survey of India, Kolkata from 2010 to 2013. He was also lecturer in Utkal University for 11 years. Culture, Environment and Development, language, Culture and Thought, Society and Culture in South Asia, Anthropology of Development and Change, Anthropology of Museums and Heritage are his areas of specialization. Dr Misra has research experience of 38 years and till now guided four scholars to their PhD. degree. He has a number of paper publications and authored more than 20 books. He has membership in several prestigious bodies and is actively involved in issues relating to human rights and tribal/indigenous peoples.