Plant breeder and geneticist H. Shivanna was on Friday appointed vice-chancellor of the University of Agricultural Sciences-Bengaluru. He is the first Dalit vice-chancellor of any agricultural university in the State.

A search committee had recommended three names, including that of Mr. Shivanna (62).

Mr. Shivanna will have a three-year term as vice-chancellor. At present, he is working as Dean of Agriculture in the UAS-B. He has already held important posts, such as research director and dean of post-graduate studies in UAS-B.

The post of the VC had been vacant since June 2014 after the retirement of the then vice-chancellor K. Narayana Gowda.

The UAS-B has jurisdiction over 10 districts: Kolar, Bëngaluru Urban and Rural, Chickballapur, Tumkur, Ramanagaram, Chamarajanagar, Mandya, Mysore and Hassan.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by B.S. Satish Kumar /Bengaluru – January 24th, 2015