A document accessed by the Bihar Times shows that Nalanda Univeristy Vice Chancellor Dr. Gopa Sabharwal’s deputation from her parent department will expire on October 7, 2015. Her five-year term as the Vice Chancellor in the Nalanda University also ends on the same day. This will leave her with little option but to return to Lady Shri Ram College under Delhi University to join as Associate Professor in Sociology Department. As per Clause 12 (2) of the Nalanda University Statutes, 2012 she is entitled to repeated reappointments as Vice Chancellor until she attained the age of 70 years. A Vice Chancellor is not eligible for reappointment in any Central University, and even in autonomous/standalone institutions it is rare and not taken kindly by the academic fraternity.

 

 

The Statutes were designed by Nalanda University by keeping her in mind. But with controversy dodging her original appointment, the government is unlikely to accede to reappointing her.

A memorandum signed Meenakshi Gopinathan, Principal, Lady Shri Ram College For Women under the Delhi University on October 22, 2012 shows extended deputation leave (without salary) for Gopa Sabharwal draws to a close on October 7, 2015. The letter clearly mentions that there would be no furhter extension of deputation leave beyond that date. She must report for duty on expiry of the leave. Dr. Sabharwal had initiatlly joined Nalanda University as Vice Chancellor designate on two-year deputation leave from October 7, 2010 to October 7, 2012 under Foreign Services rules of the Delhi University.

It is going to be tough choice for her – one of the youngest Vice Chancellors of India who was selected to the post in 2009 without due procedure and without teaching experience at Post-Graduate level. She took up her responsibility at Nalanda University on October 8, 2010 as Vice-Chancellor (Designate), though there was no such post as per the Nalanda University Act, 2010. Her post as Vice Chancellor was confirmed retrospectively by the then President of India in her capacity as the Visitor of the University.