JNU gets first woman Vice Chancellor - Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit

NEW DELHI: Savitribai Phule University professor Santishree Pandit has been appointed as the new vice-chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) today, February 7, 2022. Pandit is currently a professor at the Department of Politics and Public Administration at Savitribai Phule University in Maharashtra. The 59-year-old Pandit is also an alumna of JNU where she pursued her MPhil as well as PhD in International Relations.

"President Ram Nath Kovind, who is Visitor to the University, has approved the appointment of Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit as JNU Vice Chancellor. Her appointment is for a period of five years," a senior MoE official said.

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“It gives me pleasure to inform you that professor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, Department of Politics and Public Administration, Savitribai Phule Pune University has been appointed as the next Vice-Chancellor of JNU. She is the first female Vice-Chancellor of JNU. My hearty congratulations to Professor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit. I am handing over the charge to her today and wish her success in her new role,” said former VC M Jagadesh Kumar in an official statement.

“JNU congratulates Professor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit for being appointed as the new Vice Chancellor of JNU for a period of five years,” JNU tweeted.

JNU congratulates Prof. Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit for being appointed as the new Vice Chancellor of JNU for a period of five years.@EduMinOfIndia @ugc_india pic.twitter.com/PMzdDyZ6mV

— Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) (@JNU_official_50) February 7, 2022

Pandit began her teaching career from Goa University in 1988 and moved to Pune University in 1993. She has held administrative position in various academic bodies. She has also been a member of the University Grants Commission (UGC), the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) and Visitor's nominee to central universities. In her career she has guided 29 PhDs.

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Meanwhile, former JNU Vice-Chancellor M Jagadesh was appointed as the Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) on February 4.

JNU congratulated its Vice Chancellor for being appointed as the Chairman of UGC for five years. He will replace D P Singh, who served as the UGC chairman from 2018 to 2021. Kumar’s appointment has come at a crucial point when UGC will be instrumental in implementing the new National Education Policy, and reform of the higher education sector.

(with inputs from PTI)