Race for Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Vice-Chancellor hots up

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Dr. R. Prabhakaran, former VC of Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, is the front-runner to become the  Vice-Chancellor of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Pookode, Wayanad.

A panel had shortlisted  him and two others-- Dr. P. P. Balakrishnan and Dr. E. Nanu, both former deans of College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode-- for the post which had fallen vacant after  Dr. B. Ashok stepped down last month. Governor P. Sathasivam will appoint the new VC with the concurrence of the state government. But it is said that he may prefer Dr.  Prabhakaran as both belong to the same state.

The selection panel comprised Mr  Jiji Thomson, chief secretary,  Mr Subrata Biswas,  agricultural production commissioner, Mr Umesh Chandra Sharma, Indian Veterinary Council (IVC) representative and Dr. A. Gopalakrishnan, ICAR-CMFRI director.

“Here, the Governor has to get the concurrence of the state government. He  may opt for Dr Prabhakaran,”  said an agriculture department official.

Dr. P. P. Balakrishnan, who is also the current president of Kerala State Veterinary Council, was the brain  behind the setting up of the Pookode campus in December 2010. But before it was launched, Ms K. R. Gowri, agriculture minister in the previous LDF government, had sanctioned adequate funds.

Initially, Dr. P. V. Balachandran, registrar of Kerala Agriculture University, was tipped to be the VC of KVASU as he had more than 10 years of experience as associate director.

He was also the director of extension of KAU for over four years. But when IVC council representative Mr. Sharma insisted that the new VC should be a member of IVC, Dr. Balachandran was removed  from the panel.