Former Vice-chancellor Plans to Reveal University Secrets

17 October 2009

Dr. B A Vivek Rai, the former vice chancellor of Karnataka State Open University (KSOU), intends to author a book on his experiences as a vice chancellor of 2 universities. 

Mr. Rai spoke at a programme organized by the Dasajana Literary Forum to felicitate him in Canara College Mangalore on Wednesday and remarked that very few are aware of what happens in universities.

Dr. Rai said: “Although universities are like news rooms, a major portion of what goes on inside a university does not come to the notice of the external world. I would like to write a book on my experiences as the vice chancellor of Kannada University Hampi and KSOU. Perhaps nobody has written a book of this nature.”

He also said: “Although vice chancellors have noble intentions and plans to develop their universities, they cannot implement them. If you hate a person, the best way to punish him/her is to appoint him/her as the vice chancellor of a university.” 

Dr. Rai remarked that, owing to political interference, vice chancellors and academicians cannot perform their duties properly. He said: “Experience has taught me that there is no need to let a politician dominate you. They can do nothing if we maintain our status as the head of an academic institution.” 

K M Kaveriappa, the vice chancellor of Mangalore University; K Chinnappa Gowda, the registrar of Mangalore University; and Yerya Laxminarayana Alva and Amrita Someshwara, the noted writers spoke about Mr. Rai, his personality, and his valuable contribution to the world of folklore and academics.