Odisha Governor Names New Vice-Chancellors for 11 State Universities
In a significant administrative move, the Governor of Odisha, Hari Babu Kambhampati, has officially appointed new Vice-Chancellors for eleven universities across the state. The appointments, announced on April 7, 2026, cover a diverse range of institutions, from specialized law and Sanskrit universities to comprehensive state universities and a women’s university.
Leadership Changes Across the State
The new appointments are seen as a step toward strengthening academic leadership and governance in higher education. The selected individuals bring a mix of administrative experience and academic expertise to their new roles. Here is the complete list of universities and their newly appointed Vice-Chancellors:
- Dharanidhar University: Prof. Sanjay Kumar Patro
- Gangadhar Meher University: Prof. Byomakesh Tripathi
- Khallikote Unitary University: Prof. Ama Sahu
- Maa Manikeshwari University: Prof. Pawan Kumar Agrawal
- Madhusudan Law University: Prof. Sitaram Tripathi
- Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University: Prof. Mahendra Kumar Mohanty
- Rajendra University: Prof. Bibhuti Bhusan Mal
- Rama Devi Women’s University: Prof. Jyotiranjan Baut
- Shri Jagannath Sanskrit University: Prof. Prabhat Kumar Mahapatra
- Vikram Dev University: Prof. Hrusikesh Senapati
- Odia University: Prof. Satyanarayan Acharya
Institutional Impact
These appointments are expected to bring fresh perspectives to the respective campuses. Notably, the selection includes leaders for institutions with distinct mandates, such as the Madhusudan Law University, which specializes in legal education, and the Shri Jagannath Sanskrit University, dedicated to the study of Sanskrit and ancient Indian knowledge systems. The Rama Devi Women’s University, which focuses on higher education for women, also receives its new academic head in this batch of appointments.
The Governor’s office is expected to issue formal orders regarding the terms and conditions of these appointments shortly. Faculty members, students, and academic observers across the state have welcomed the development, hoping for renewed focus on research, curriculum modernization, and campus development under the new leadership.
