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Professor Sunaina Singh appointed V-C of Nalanda University

Singh, who is currently serving in the same capacity at The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, has been appointed for a period of five years from the date on which she assumes charge of the office.

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President Pranab Mukherjee, in his capacity as the Visitor of Nalanda University (NU)-Rajgir, appointed Professor Sunaina Singh as the new Vice-Chancellor (V-C) of the University, late on Wednesday evening.

Singh, who is currently serving in the same capacity at The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, has been appointed for a period of five years from the date on which she assumes charge of the office.

Her appointment coincides with the resignation of acting V-C and dean Pankaj Mohan on Wednesday evening, following allegations of shielding a student accused in a sexual harassment case.

The development was confirmed by the university administration in an official statement released on Thursday. "The terms and conditions of the services of Professor Singh will be as set forth in the Act, Statutes, Ordinances and other rules and regulations of the University," it further said.

The post of NU chancellor fell vacant in November 2016, following the exit of founding V-C Gopa Sabharwal after the completion of her extended term. At the same time, the President had also dissolved the Nalanda Mentors Group which doubled as the varsity's governing body, as the board members were serving for almost nine years as against the three years mentioned in the NU Act 2010.

These decisions prompted Chancellor George Yeo to also put in his papers, a day after Sabharwal's term ended. Yeo, in his resignation letter had said that the administrative change came as a surprise to him. A new Chancellor, scientist Vijay Bhatkar, was appointed by the President on January 27, besides the constitution of a fresh governing board.

Sources said over 100 applicants had been screened by NU for the V-C's post, of which six had been called for a one-to-one interview. "Finally three names were sent to the President for selection and Singh's name was decided upon," a university official said.

Professor Singh, who also holds the post of Vice President of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), has seven published books to her credit besides several articles in research journals. Some of the distinguished administrative positions she has held include: President of the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute, and Chairperson, Department of English, Osmania University. She also made it to the 100 Most Influential Vice Chancellors 2016 list at the World Education Congress. Nalanda University, which came into existence in September 2014, has 130 students and 25 faculty members in its three schools at present.

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