JORHAT, Oct 16 - Vice Chancellor (in-charge) of Assam Agricultural University (AAU) Dr Ashok Bhattacharyya today assumed charge as the acting Vice Chancellor of Assam Women�s University (AWU) at Rowriah here.
Assam Governor Professor Jagdish Mukhi, who is the Chancellor of AWU, has recently issued an appointing Dr Bhattacharyya as the in-charge VC of the women�s varsity.
The development comes in the wake of the Governor accepting the resignation of the first Vice Chancellor of AWU, Dr Malinee Goswami.
Dr Goswami, former Head of Assamese Department, Gauhati University, had taken over as the AWU VC on September 16, 2019.
When contacted, Dr Bhattacharyya, who is also the Director (Research, Agriculture) of AAU, said that he took charge today as he had received a communique from Raj Bhawan a few days ago asking him to officiate as the acting VC of AWU till further orders.
It may be mentioned here that since July 31, 2019 Dr Bhattacharyya has been officiating as the VC (in-charge) of AAU after retirement of his predecessor Dr KM Bujarbaruah.
Dr Bhattacharyya is soon going to relinquish the post of acting VC of AAU as the Governor, who is also the Chancellor of AAU, has already appointed Director of ICAR-ATARI, Umiam, Dr Bidyut Chandan Deka as the VC of the agricultural university. Dr Deka is an alumnus of AAU.
It may be mentioned here that in 2018, the students of AWU had hit the streets to protest against the government�s �lackadaisical attitude� towards AWU and also in apprehension of an alleged government plan to downgrade the varsity that was functioning under the mentorship of AAU.
The issue also found mention in the State Assembly with the Opposition and the government engaging in a heated debate over the alleged plan to downgrade the university.
