3-year extension for Sobti

CHANDIGARH: Ending months of speculation on Tuesday, Panjab University vice-chancellor Dr Ranbir Chander Sobti achieved his goal of getting an extension for the next three years. Sobti, a professor of department of biotechnology, was fighting a tough battle to get his term, which was due to end in July this year, extended.
Confirming the news, a close colleague of his said, ���He has got an extension for the post of V-C.The news was confirmed by officials concerned to him around three days ago.���
Dr Sobti took over as PU V-C on July 22, 2006. Except for Prof MM Puri, who was the V-C from 1997 to 2,000, all other V-Cs at Panjab University have served a second term.
Recently, Dr Sobti was also appointed as VC of central university in Himachal Pradesh and speculations were doing rounds as to whether he would take up that assignment. With this extension, it is clear that he won���t join as V-C of central university expected to come up at Dera, HP.
HRD ministry had, on February 28, announced appointment of VCs for 15 new central universities in the country. Of these institutions, 12 are new varsities in as many as states while three state universities have been upgraded. According to information, 14 V-Cs have already taken over, except for Dr Sobti. After Dr Sobti���s appointment at central university, hectic lobbying had started for the post of VC of PU. Though various names did the rounds of the university during the last few months, the extension of Dr Sobti���s term came as no surprise. Many believe that Sobti���s efforts to improve the standard of the university and the recent honour of Padmashri have helped him in getting extension.
During his tenure, seats were reserved in all PU departments for HIV/AIDS, cancer patients and single girl child. Sobti joined PU as teaching assistant in 1974 and became professor in cell biology in 1994. He has over 250 research papers and 10 books on biotechnology to his credit and has been conferred several prestigious awards, including Punjab Rattan and many international fellowships.
Getting an extension for around five months before the end of his term as the V-C has come as a bombshell. It is surprising because usually, the vice-president of India, who is also chancellor of PU, constitutes a search committee to recommend the name of PU���s next vice-chancellor (VC) in May. And a name is generally finalized only a few days before the term of the existing V-C comes to an end, said a professor.