8 Dec : Jammu, December 8: Professor Varun Sahni today takes over the charge of Vice Chancellor , University of Jammu from Professor Amitabh Mattoo.Professor Varun Sahni , Professor in International Politics, Centre for International Politics Organization and Disarmament, School of International Studies Jawahar Lal University was appointed as Vice Chancellor University of Jammu by Governor, HE N.N. Vohra, in his capacity as Chancellor of the Jammu University, , based on the recommendations made by a three-member Search Committee constituted on 18 August 2008.
The Committee was headed by Professor G.K. Chadha, Chief Executive Officer, South Asian University and Member, Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council with Dr Sudhir S Bloeria, former Chief Secretary, J&K and Prof Atul Sharma, Vice Chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar and Member 13th Finance Commission, as its members.
Professor Sahni is a Professor in International Politics at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, and Editor of South Asian Survey. He has been lecturing regularly at the National Defence College, New Delhi; Foreign Service Institute, New Delhi; College of Naval Warfare, Mumbai; and Army War College, Mhow.
Before joining the JNU faculty in 1995, Varun Sahni was Junior Research Fellow in Politics and Junior Dean at Lincoln College, Oxford; Resident Fellow of the Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Contemporary Studies, New Delhi, and Reader in Latin American Politics at Goa University. He has held visiting fellowships/professorships at Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA (1997); CIDE, Mexico City (1997-1999); National Defense University, Washington, DC (2003); and the Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia (2008).
Professor Amitabh Mattoo and Professor Varun Sahni this morning arrived at Administrative Block of University Campus where entire University fraternity gave rousing reception to both.
Registrar University of Jammu Prof. GS Sambyal introduced the Directors, Deans, HOD’s, Members of JUTA, JURSEA, Non Teaching Union, Non Gazetted Union and faculty members to New Vice Chancellor Professor Varun Sahni .
Soon after handing over the responsibilities of Vice Chancellor, JU to Professor Varun Sahni, Professor Mattoo thanked the entire University fraternity for their support in making the University of Jammu one of the premier institution of the world "I am indeed thankful to the entire University family who extended their full support to me in making the institution one of the leading educational hub," Professor Amitabh Mattoo said adding that now it is the need of time to maintain the educational standard of the University.
Professor Amitabh Mattoo further asked the University fraternity to extend their full support and cooperation to Professor Varun Sahni. "Professor Varun Sahni has vast academic and administrative experience and has a capability to bring more and more positive changes to the University in years to come," added Professor Amitabh Mattoo
Speaking on the occasion, Professor Varun Sahni hoped that the University fraternity will extend their full support and cooperation to him during his tenure as Vice Chancellor University of Jammu. "I am hopeful that the you all will extend you full cooperation to me to carry forward the initiatives taken by the Professor Amitabh Mattoo," added
Amidst slogans , both Professor Amitabh Mattoo and Professor Varun Sahni were taken to Vice Chancellor’s lodge in a procession by the University fraternity. Students raising slogans "Jammu University Up Up. Jammu and Kashmir Needs Professor Amitabh Mattoo" presented bouquets to Professor Amitabh Mattoo and Professor Varun Sahni.
Later all the JU fraternity accompanied Professor Amitabh Mattoo to Airport where from he left for New Delhi.