Dr. Anjila Gupta appointed Vice Chancellor of Kolhan University

University Set for Major Reforms Under New Leadership

Hope for Institutional Reforms and Academic Progress

Chaibasa: After nearly two years (one year and nine months) without a permanent head, Kolhan University has finally appointed a full-time Vice Chancellor. Dr. Anjila Gupta, the current Vice Chancellor of Jamshedpur Women’s University, has been selected for the role. The appointment was made by Jharkhand Governor and Chancellor Santosh Gangwar, and the official order was issued by Principal Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Nitin Madan Kulkarni.

Dr. Gupta will serve as the 10th Vice Chancellor of Kolhan University and the second woman to hold this prestigious post. Previously, Dr. Shukla Mohanty served as the first woman Vice Chancellor of the university. Dr. Gupta is expected to hold office for more than three years, as per the Chancellor’s directive.

Post Left Vacant for Over a Year

The post of Vice Chancellor at Kolhan University had been vacant since May 27, 2023, following the retirement of former VC Dr. Gangadhar Panda. Due to the absence of a permanent VC, Kolhan Commissioner was temporarily given charge, but his role was limited to handling salary payments, pensions, and routine administrative work. He was not authorized to make key policy decisions, which led to a standstill in many important university activities.

The lack of leadership significantly impacted the university’s academic progress. The student convocation and student union elections were delayed, while PhD results and other administrative decisions remained pending. With the appointment of a permanent VC, it is expected that the university will now witness significant progress in these areas.

Repeated Student Protests Yield Results

Several student organizations, including the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), repeatedly protested over the delay in appointing a full-time Vice Chancellor. Their demand was to ensure better academic governance in Kolhan University, which has 54 affiliated degree colleges and caters to nearly 80,000 students.

ABVP’s Kolhan Department Organization Minister, Durga Bodra, credited the students’ protests for securing a new VC appointment. “The appointment of a permanent Vice Chancellor is a positive step for students, faculty, and the university as a whole. It will allow the university to focus on improving academic standards, addressing students’ issues, and ensuring smooth administrative operations,” he said.

Dr. Anjila Gupta’s Journey

Dr. Anjila Gupta brings extensive experience in academic administration. She was the first Vice Chancellor of Jamshedpur Women’s University and previously served as the Vice Chancellor of Ghasidas Central University in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. Originally from Katni, Madhya Pradesh, she has a strong academic background in economics.

Before stepping into administrative roles, Dr. Gupta worked as a professor of economics at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). She was a gold medalist in her postgraduate studies (M.A.) and a senior research fellow at Banaras Hindu University before beginning her teaching career. She is also UGC-NET qualified.

Past Controversies in Jamshedpur Women’s University

Dr. Gupta’s tenure at Jamshedpur Women’s University was not without challenges. Her name was linked to multiple controversies, including alleged irregularities in the recruitment of computer operators and contract-based teachers, as well as issues in PhD and B.Ed admissions. In some cases, recruitment processes that did not adhere to reservation guidelines were cancelled and later reissued following proper procedures.

Past Vice Chancellors of Kolhan University

Since its establishment, Kolhan University has seen multiple Vice Chancellors. Below is a list of those who have previously held the position:

1. Father Beni Ekka: August 12, 2009 – September 25, 2010
2. Dr. Laxmi Shri Banerjee (In-charge): September 27, 2010 – November 14, 2010
3. Dr. Salil Kumar Rai: November 15, 2010 – November 15, 2013
4. Kolhan Commissioner Alok Goyal (In-charge): November 16, 2013 – May 8, 2014
5. Dr. R. P. P. Singh: May 9, 2014 – May 8, 2017
6. Dr. Shukla Mohanty: May 8, 2017 – May 28, 2020
7. Prof. Gangadhar Panda: May 28, 2020 – May 27, 2023
8. Kolhan Commissioner Manoj Kumar (In-charge): May 27, 2023 – March 13, 2024
9. Kolhan Commissioner Hari Kumar Kesari (In-charge): March 13, 2024 – February 28, 2025
10. Dr. Anjila Gupta: From February 28, 2025

Challenges Ahead for Dr. Anjila Gupta

With Dr. Gupta’s appointment, several long-pending issues within the university are expected to be addressed:

1. Academic Development Blocked: Without a permanent VC, various academic programs and initiatives were stalled.
2. PhD Results Delayed: Students awaiting PhD results suffered uncertainty in their academic careers.
3. Postponed Convocation: Many graduates were unable to officially receive their degrees due to the absence of a convocation ceremony.
4. Pending Senate & Syndicate Decisions: Several decisions by the university’s governing bodies remained unimplemented.
5. Student Union Elections Delayed: The absence of a student union resulted in a lack of student representation in decision-making.
6. Dependence on the Governor’s Secretariat: Major university decisions required approval from the Governor’s Secretariat, slowing down administrative processes.
7. Pending Faculty Promotions & Salaries: Delays in promotions, salary payments, and recruitments created dissatisfaction among faculty members.
8. Administrative Transfers Stalled: Important decisions regarding departmental transfers were not taken.

Looking Ahead

Dr. Anjila Gupta’s leadership is expected to bring stability and direction to Kolhan University. With a permanent Vice Chancellor now in place, students, faculty, and administrative staff anticipate improvements in academic governance, faculty recruitment, and overall educational quality.

As Dr. Gupta assumes office, all eyes will be on her ability to resolve long-pending issues and steer Kolhan University towards academic excellence.