Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore may have a new director after almost eight years, as the present incumbent Padmanabhan Balaram is set to retire.
Four eminent scientists are in the fray to replace Balaram and the possible candidate’s name may be disclosed at the IISc council meeting, scheduled on Saturday.
Department of Biotechnology Secretary K Vijayaraghavan is the forerunner. Other three academicians are senior IISc professors D D Sharma, 58-year-old, a professor of Chemistry is the youngest of the four. One of the world’s leading experts on animal behaviour, Raghavendra Gadagkar is a Professor at IISc Centre for Ecological Sciences. He is also current President of Indian National Science Academy.
A search committee comprising eminent scholars is expected to announce the next director’s name in the council meeting, chaired by K Kasturirangan, Member, Planning Commission and former chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation.
“In IISc, a director is selected several months in advance. There is no interview and no panel. A panel of eminent academicians chooses a candidate on consensus,” said an IISc professor, who is also on the verge of retirement.
No woman has ever headed the prestigious institute, which is in existence for over 100 years.
A deemed university ever since 1958, IISc is possibly India’s finest research and education institute and highly regarded all over the world.