Retired RU professor takes charge as the university’s vice chancellor

Rakesh Kumar Kothari, who retired as University of Rajasthan (RU) professor last year, took charge as the university’s vice chancellor (VC) on Wednesday.

He was appointed as the VC by Rajasthan governor Kalyan Singh on Monday.

Kothari took the charge from Rajeshwar Singh, an IAS officer and Jaipur divisional commissioner, who was holding the VC’s charge since January this year after his predecessor JP Singhal resigned following a rap from the high court over his inadequate qualifications.

Several teachers and other employees of the VC’s office to welcome Kothari on his first day in office. Recalling his 38-yearlong career with the university as professor in the business administration department, Kothari announced that he would take pension from the university, but donate his entire salary (after the tax cuts) to a fund for supporting the students on a need-cum-merit basis.

“When I started service in 1978, my salary was ₹1,066. I never thought that we would get such good salaries. I have taken enough from the university and for long, it’s payback time now,” said Kothari, while addressing the media persons in his office after taking the charge.

Kothari is also an alumnus of RU; he did his MCom and MPhil from the university.

Kothari said that his priority would be to ensure better classroom teaching, promote original research, fill vacant teaching and non-teaching positions in the university, and setting up a fund monitoring committee so that no funds in the university get lapsed. He also said that RU was once ranked among the top universities in the country, but has now slipped to 79th rank. “I would strive to restore its prestigious position,” he said.

Rajeshwar Singh, the outgoing VC, said that Kothari has a long association with the university and knows the university inside out.

He extended good wishes to Kothari on his new responsibility and that he would help take the university to new heights.

The university students said they had high hope from their new VC. “I would want him to ensure better security for girls in the campus, especially during the election season when there are rowdy elements roaming around,” said Anjali Verma, a student of MCom first year.

“The gymnasium should be revamped and equipped with new machines. Moreover, some students drink and litter the ground at night. They should be checked,” said Chhagan Kumar, a first year of MA Hindi.

Vandana Kalla, an associate professor of music in the university, said, “This is after a very long time that someone from the university has become the VC. We have high hopes from him as he would understand the university’s problems minutely.”

Amod Saxena, president, RU non-teaching staff association, wanted vacant posts filled.