Maharashtra University appoints first woman vice-chancellor

Maharashtra university- The Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences in Karad has recently made a breakthrough in women empowerment by appointing Dr Neelima Malik as its new vice-chancellor. This is the first medical varsity in the state to appoint a women-in-charge of the said designation.

University officials implied that this appointment has been considered on recommendation of the search and selection committee. This committee was duly constituted and a decision arrived at a meeting on June 11 in Pune.

Officials confirmed the news that Dr Neelima is the first woman belonging to the dental faculty to be given the high post. She is now the vice-chancellor of a deemed university.

An official told TOI that the committee had suggested three names, of which, Chancellor Vedprakash Mishra approved Dr Mailk for the appointment.

Dr Neelima’s appointment was confirmed in June, with her appointment letter issued on June 14. Complying with the appointment order she took charge on June 16.

The medical varsity was also in the news recently after the state government decided to take the route of private partnership for starting Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) in each district here. A proposal is expected to be submitted by the appointed committee suggesting alternative models in one month’s time.

A committee to handle the matter has already been constituted under the Chairmanship of Dr Vedprakash Mishra, Chancellor of Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences; while, Joint Director of Directorate of Medical Education and Research Dr Prakash Wakode will be its member. Medical Education Minister Vinod Tawde has been directing the matter. The private partnership is expected to give an impetus to the government’s plan to have a GMC in every district. Most of the districts have an existing district hospital, with 100-beds required in each hospital to have an affiliate medical funds secured for the purpose. The appointed committee is now likely to study the financial implications of the public-private concept at hand. Following which, one model will be chosen by the government to establish the new medical college.

A MCI panel led by Dr Vedprakash Mishra while recommending this relaxation, put the onus of maintaining entire health infrastructure on private colleges and made it mandatory to safeguard the interest of State Governments. In addition, under this proposal, there will be 20% seats reserved for government quota by these private medical colleges. MCI norms will also have to be followed for delivery in patient care at affiliated hospitals of the private medical colleges.