The outgoing Vice Chancellor SK Sopory handed over the reins of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) to IIT Delhi professor M Jagdeesh Kumar on Wednesday for the next five years.
While speaking to The Pioneer, Kumar — introduced to the students and faculty in an official ceremony — said the first issue that he would look into is the recent complaint of a Dalit student who threatened to commit suicide if his research fellowship funds were not released.
“I understand the student’s fellowship has been stopped because of some academic reason. I will talk to the concerned officials tomorrow,” he said.
Madan Meher, registered with International Organisation Division at JNU’s Center for Inter-national Politics Organisation and Disarmament (CIPOD), alleged that he was refused ‘9b’ - a one-year extension given to students to complete PhD after usual term of four years if the student has completed 90 per cent of work - for one year and four months despite submitting required chapters.
Besides, the new VC expressed happiness on the first day of his joining the varsity. “It is fantastic to be here,” he said, adding that he would take forward Sopory’s legacy of achievement and improvement forward.
“As the new VC, I obviously have objectives to take JNU to greater heights,” he added.
Kumar said his focus will be on “nation building” and strengthening the varsity’s heterogeneous character.
As soon as he received the appointment letter from the Ministry of Human Resource and Development, Kumar had told this newspaper, “I am joining not just as the Vice Chancellor but as someone to take up multiple roles. I will have role of a mentor, resource mobiliser, risk taker and a conflict resolver. I will interact with students and take their feedback to start initiatives of improving not just hostels but academics.”
The farewell of molecular biologist, Sopory was attended by all deans and directors of various departments in JNU. Sopory began his academic career in 1973 as a faculty at JNU’s School of life Sciences.