GOVERNOR AS CHANCELLOR OF UNIVERSITIES

 

           His Excellency the Governor is the ex-officio Chancellor of the Universities of the State by virtue of Section 5(1) of Orissa Universities Act, 1989 and similar other legislations. At present, there are 9 Universities in the State of Orissa as follows :-

 

Sl.No.

Name of the Universities

Name of the Vice-Chancellor

1.

Utkal University

Prof. C.N.MISHRA

2.

Sambalpur University

Prof. P.C.Tripathy

3.

Berhampur University

Prof. J.K. Baral

4.

Orissa University of Agriculture&Technology

Prof. Bhagirathi Senapati

5.

Sri Jagannath Sanskrit Visvavidyalaya

Prof. A.C. Sarangi

6.

Fakir Mohan University

Dr. Sukadev Nanda

7.

North Orissa University

Prof. B.N. Puhan

8.

Utkal University of Culture

Prof. S.C.PANDA

9.

Biju Patnaik University of Technology

Dr. Damodar Acharya

 

            The position of the Chancellor has been delineated in clear cut fashion in Orissa Universities Act, 1989. He has to preside over all the Convocations of the Universities convened for the purpose of conferring degrees or for any other purpose. He decides all disputes with regard to election, nomination or selection of members of the authorities of the Universities. He enjoys the right to inspect or cause to be inspected the Universities or part thereof and make appropriate directions for corrective measures on the findings during such enquiry. Under sub-Section 9 of Section 5, he is competent to issue directions or instructions not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act and Statutes on any matter connected with a University when any authority or Vice-Chancellor fails to act in accordance with the provisions of this Act, the Statutes, or the Regulations. Under sub-Section 10 of Section 5, the Chancellor may, by order in writing annul any proceeding of the Senate, Syndicate, Academic Council or any other authority which is not in conformity with this Act, the Statutes, the Regulations or the directions issued under sub-Section (9). Under sub-Section 20 of Section 6, the Chancellor may, at any time, by an order in writing remove the Vice-Chancellor of a University from office if in his opinion it appears that his continuance in office is detrimental to the interests of that University.

            The Chancellor enjoys enormous authority in the matter of appointment of vital functionaries of the University which includes Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, Comptroller of Finance, certain members of the Senate, Syndicate and Academic Council from the University. He also enjoys the authority to suspend any member of the authorities under Section 15(1) and (2) of Orissa Universities Act under given circumstances.

            Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology Act, Utkal University of Culture Act and Biju Patnaik University of Technology Act also clearly define the powers and position of the Chancellor.

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