YK Tyagi appointed new Delhi University Vice-Chancellor

Yogesh Kumar Tyagi, a professor at the South Asian University, the Delhi-based varsity sponsored by the eight member states of the Saarc, has been appointed the new vice-chancellor of the University of Delhi.

Prof. Tyagi, dean of the law faculty at the South Asian University, will replace former vice-chancellor Dinesh Singh, whose tenure ended on October 28. Prof. Tyagi has been appointed for a term of five years.

Prof. Tyagi’s name was selected by President Pranab Mukherjee from a list of four persons. Last week, the Union HRD ministry had forwarded the four names to the President Mukherjee, who as Visitor of Central universities, makes the final selection.

Apart from Prof. Tyagi, the other names on the panel were JNU professor Rameshwar Nath Kaul Bamezai, former IIT professor and UPSC member Hemchand Gupta and Bidyut Chakraborty, a professor in the DU’s political science department.

According to reports, Prof. Tyagi was the front-runner for the position as he was the Union HRD ministry’s choice. Earlier, it was reported that while appointing the JNU vice-chancellor, the President had ignored the Centre’s preference and appointed IIT professor M. Jagadesh Kumar to the post.

Prof. Tyagi, reacting to his appointment as the new vice-chancellor of the Delhi University, said he will try to ensure that best quality education is available to all sections of students in the premier institution.

His predecessor had a controversial tenure with introduction and subsequent rollback of the now defunct Four-Year Undergraduate Progra-mme in the university.

Prof. Tyagi, who refused on comment on his predecessor’s controversial tenure, said he wants to work collectively with all stakeholders so that “everyone is on board” and best education can be provided and opportunities created even for those who don’t have them.

The newly-appointed vice-chancellor said he is seeking ideas and suggestions from a wide section of people, including those who know about things “better” than him. The aim is to deliver the best for the society and create a platform that is open to all, he said. Asked about the controversies during the tenure of Prof. Dinesh Singh, he told PTI, “We should look forward and focus our energies on tomorrow.”

Prof. Tyagi said he had received the order appointing him as the new Delhi University vice-chancellor and would take over after the process to relieve him from the South Asian University is completed.