Nalanda University Chancellor quits; charges lack of autonomy

He says that he was 'not even given notice' of the leadership change in the institution

George Yeo, the second Chancellor of Nalanda University after Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen, on Friday resigned from the post saying the varsity's autonomy was being affected as he was "not even given notice" of the leadership change in the institution.

"The circumstances under which the leadership change in the Nalanda University has been suddenly and summarily effected is disturbing and possibly harmful to the University's development," he said in a statement to the members of the earlier Board of the university.

The Board was reconstituted by President Pranab Mukherjee as its Visitor on November 21 which severed Sen's nearly a decade-long association with the institution after the government reconstituted the governing body of the prestigious institution.

"It is puzzling why I, as Chancellor, was not even given notice of it. When I was invited to take over the responsibility from Amartya Sen last year, I was repeatedly assured that the University would have autonomy. This appears not to be the case now. Accordingly, and with deep sadness, I have submitted my letter of resignation as Chancellor to the Visitor," Yeo said.

Sources said the President, in his capacity as the Visitor of the university, approved the reconstitution of the Governing Board in accordance with provisions of the Nalanda University Act, 2010.

He also approved a temporary charge of Vice Chancellor (VC) to senior-most Dean of the University as the current VC Gopa Sabharwal's one-year extension expired on Thursday. It will be a stop-gap measure until the new VC is appointed.

The new governing board will be a 14-member body which will be chaired by the chancellor. It will also comprise vice-chancellor, along with five members nominated by India, China, Australia, Laos PDR and Thailand.

Former revenue secretary N K Singh, who was also a member of the Nalanda Mentors Group, will represent India.