Dr. Probir Kumar Ghosh. Photo: https://naas.org.in/detail.php?id=138
Rabindranath Tagore-founded Visva-Bharati, the only Central University in West Bengal, has got a new full-time Vice-Chancellor after a long gap of 15 months. Agriculture scientist Probir Kumar Ghosh, the new head, joined office on Wednesday (March 19, 2025).
Dr. Ghosh is an alumnus of the institution, and he served as the director of ICAR-National Institute of Biotic Stress Management in Chhattisgarh before taking up his new role.
“The President of India, in her capacity as the Visitor of Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan, has been pleased to appoint Dr. Probir Kumar Ghosh, former Director and Vice-Chancellor, ICAR, NIBSM, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, as the Upacharya (Vice-Chancellor) of Visva-Bharti as per Statute 3 of the Statutes of the Visva Bharati Act, 1951 for a term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office, or until he attains the age of seventy years, whichever is earlier,” a Central government letter to the university on Tuesday (March 18, 2025) evening said.
Ever since the last full-time Vice-Chancellor, Bidyut Chakrabarty, retired in November 2023, the university was run by officiating V-Cs: three of them over a period of 15 months. “The new Vice-Chancellor has a lot on his agenda. The statutory posts of Registrar, Finance Officer and Directors need to be filled first to set policy directions. The World Heritage Status needs to be preserved in consultation with the stakeholders. His leadership and inspiration will be critical to rejuvenating the university,” a senior professor told The Hindu.
“Since he has worked in a pan Indian scenario, he will certainly try to improve the national and global status of the university. Over the last few years, the university has been plagued by controversies leading to divisions. A healing touch is needed to take the institution forward collectively,” the professor added.
Published – March 19, 2025 06:02 pm IST
