Mangaluru : Prof P L Dharma from the Department of Political Science has been appointed as the regular vice chancellor of Mangalore University by Thaawarchand Gehlot, the Governor of Karnataka and chancellor of the varsity. He succeeds Prof Jayaraj Amin, who was the the acting vice chancellor after the tenure of Dr P Subrahmanya Yadapadithaya.

The governor has exercised his powers under Section 14(4) of the Karnataka State Universities Act, 2000, to appoint The appointment is effective for a period of four years from the date of assumption of office or until Prof Dharma attains the age of 67, whichever comes earlier.

The appointment comes following the conclusion of the tenure of Dr P Subrahmanya Yadapadithaya, the previous Vice-Chancellor, on June 2, 2023. In the interim period, Prof Jayaraj Amin, the Senior-most Dean of the Faculty of Arts and the Department of Political Science at Mangalore University, served as the acting vice chancellor from June 2, 2023, until March 16, 2024, coinciding with the end of his deanship.

The state government constituted a Search Committee under Section 14(2) of the Karnataka State Universities Act, 2000, to recommend suitable candidates for the vice-chancellor position. The committee submitted its panel to the state government, which was subsequently forwarded to the governor and chancellor for consideration.

After examining and considering the panel of names submitted by the state government, governor Thaawarchand Gehlot appointed Prof P L Dharma as the regular vice chancellor for Mangalore University.