The Jammu and Kashmir Government has started the process to appoint a new Vice Chancellor for the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) Awantipora.
Following the constitution of a search committee last month to draw the panel of candidates, the Higher Education Department (HED) has issued a notification inviting applications from eligible candidates for the VC post.
As already reported, the J&K government in July 2021 appointed Prof Shakil Ahmad Romshoo as the new Vice Chancellor of IUST Awantipora, for a period of three years. Later in July 2024, Prof. Romshoo was granted a two-year extension in his term as Vice Chancellor by the government.
Earlier in February this year, J&K Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha approved constitution of a four-member committee to recommend panel of candidates for appointment of Vice Chancellor Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST).
The committee is be headed by the former Vice Chancellor of Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad Prof. Mohd. Miyan as its chairman. The other members of the committee include Prof. Kumud Sharma Vice Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi International Hindi University Wardha, who has been nominated by the University Grants Commission, Prof. Pankaj Chandra Vice Chancellor of Ahmedabad University, and Prof. Subeer S. Majumdar, Director General of Gujarat Biotechnology University, Gandhinagar.
“The committee will recommend to the Chancellor a panel of not less than four eligible candidates for appointment to the post,” the order reads. The committee has been asked to submit the panel of the candidates to the chancellor by or before May 31, 2026 Meanwhile, as per the advertisement notification, the selection committee has invited nominations and applications from distinguished academics for the position of Vice Chancellor of the IUST.
“The Vice Chancellor is the principal academic and executive head of the University and shall exercise all powers as prescribed under the University Act, Statutes, and Ordinances,” the advertisement reads. Besides other aspects, the advertisement reads that the VC shall be responsible for providing academic vision, strategic direction, and dynamic leadership to the University besides ensuring implementation of national education policies, including the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
“The VC will be responsible for fostering a culture of research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and interdisciplinary collaboration and also enhance University’s national and international standing through academic partnerships, rankings, and accreditations,” it reads.
As per the UGC Regulations, 201 and the University Statutes, the aspiring candidate must be an eminent scholar with a Ph.D. degree and a consistently outstanding academic record.
“He should have minimum of 10 years of experience as Professor in a University or 10 years of experience in a reputed research or academic administrative organization with proof of having demonstrated academic leadership,” it reads. As per the advertisement, the candidate shall not be more than 67 years of age on the last date of receipt of applications as notified in this advertisement.
“During the tenure of office, the VC shall not continue beyond the age of 70 years,” it reads. As per the notification, the VC shall hold office for a term of three years extendable up to five years from the date of assumption of charge, or until attaining the age of seventy years, “whichever is earlier.”
The application form is available on the website- www.iust.ac.in and https://highereducation.jk.gov.in “The duly signed application form must be accompanied by detailed Curriculum Vitae and proof of date of birth. The application form along with all relevant documents shall be submitted electronically through e-mail: [email protected], strictly in pdf format only,” it reads.
The last date for receipt of applications has been fixed as May 15 of 2026 up to 5 pm. “In-service candidates must attach a No Objection Certificate (NOC) and vigilance, integrity certificate from their present employer. The advertisement further reads that the Selection Committee reserves the right to shortlist candidates and to call only those deemed suitable, in its opinion, for interaction. “The Committee further reserves the right to withdraw this advertisement or to cancel/postpone the selection process at any stage, without assigning any reason,” it reads.
The advertisement further reads that canvassing in any form or attempting to bring influence shall be treated as a disqualification. “The appointment shall be subject to the provisions of the J&K IUST Act, XVIII of 2005, the University Statutes, the UGC Regulations, 2018, and any other applicable laws/guidelines in force from time to time,” it reads.
