Kakatiya University elated as three staff become Vice-Chancellors

Warangal: Kakatiya University which produced several luminaries in the field of academics is continuing its influence in higher education domain in Telangana State.

The appointment of three senior teachers associated with Kakatiya University as Vice-Chancellors of different universities has made the KU faculty and staff feel elated.

It might be noted that the university has produced personalities like late Prof K Balagopal who served at the university and Prof G Haragopal who did his PhD from KU.

Now three professors K Seetarama Rao, P Sambaiah and Khaka Althaf Hussain have been made the Vice-Chancellors of BR Ambedkar Open University, Telangana University and Mahatma Gandhi University respectively.

Earlier, Prof T Papi Reddy has been appointed as Chairman of TS Council of Higher Education. This indicates the priority being given to the faculty members of the KU, oldest university in Telangana after Osmania University, the students and teachers of the university here say.

All the above persons have come from rural background and excelled due to their hard work. In addition to that, the active participation of Seetarama Rao, Papi Reddy and Sambaiah in the statehood movement along with Telangana ideologue Prof K Jayashankar has acted in their favour.

Ever since the process of searching for Vice-Chancellors began, it was expected that Seetarama Rao and Sambaiah could get a chance in view of their proximity to Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao. “It is really a matter of pride for the university as well as for Warangal district,” said K Damodar Rao, a senior faculty member.

The university being the oldest institution in the State has produced excellent academicians, he said while speaking to The Hans India responding over the development.

On other hand, some of the teaching and non-teaching members of the university are skeptical over appointing an outsider as VC of KU. The term of the VC is three years, one and half year goes in getting to know the dynamics here and it leaves less time for him to really work, said a non-teaching member who does not want to be quoted. “As a matter of policy it is okay to appoint the faculty members of other universities as Vice-Chancellors.

For new universities which have short supply of experienced faculty, the government should have appointed persons from other universities,” he said. “In KU there are many talented teachers. Giving a chance to those who have already worked here could have made a difference in terms of improving the situation on academic and administration front,” he added.