Dr Mohan Paul Singh Ishar, a Professor from Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar, is being appointed as new Vice Chancellor of Jammu University in place of Prof Varun Sahni, who had completed his term on December 7.
Dr Ishar, who originally hailed from Poonch and had later settled at Kathua before shifting to Amritsar, is scheduled to meet Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tomorrow before taking up his new assignment.
He was at top of three members panel prepared by a search committee constituted by Governor NN Vohra, in his capacity as Chancellor of the University, for appointment of new Vice Chancellor after Prof Sahni completed his three years term.
Dr Ishar, who has 84 publications to his credit, was expected to take over as new Vice Chancellor of Jammu University only after the interviews in teaching for under career advancement scheme in various departments are completed on January 21. The interviews had started yesterday.
Talking to the Excelsior on telephone from Amritsar, Dr Ishar said: "it would be a proud moment for me to become Vice Chancellor of the University where I had done Post Graduation in Chemistry’’.
He said he was the product of Jammu University and it would be a matter of great satisfaction for him to head the prestigious Varsity.
A Professor of Pharmaceutical Science and Dean Students Welfare at GNDU Amritsar, Prof Ishar said he would emphasise on quality teaching and research.
"My special focus would be on quality teaching and research’’, he said, adding that strengthening of existing infrastructure will also be his priority.
Prof Ishar has his area of specialization in Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Organic Photochemistry and Steroid Chemistry.
Prof Ishar was on top of three members panel submitted by the search committee for appointment as Vice Chancellor. Two others in the panel were Prof PS Ahuja, a Scientist in Institute of Integrated Medicines (IIM), Palampur in Himachal Pradesh and Rajive Gupta, a Professor of Chemistry, who had retired in October last year from Jammu University.
Prof Ishar had done MSc Chemistry from Jammu University and PhD from IIT.
The search committee comprised Prof GK Chadha, Chief Executive of South Asian University, Prof MM Saluke, Vice Chancellor of Central University, Rajasthan and Dr SS Bloeria, Vice Chancellor of Central University, Jammu and former Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir.
The search committee had visited Jammu from January 6 to 8 and met various organisations of Jammu University and individuals before submitting the panel to the Raj Bhavan. Yesterday, Governor NN Vohra had discussed the panel with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at the Raj Bhavan.
