Coimbatore: N Kumar, who was the dean of the faculty of Horticulture at the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) and served in professorial and research capacities for more than 30 years, was appointed as its 13th vice-chancellor on Monday.Tamil Nadu governor and the chancellor of state universities Banwarilal Purohit handed over the appointment letter to Kumar. He will assume charge on November 16 and be in office for three years. The 63-year-old man succeeds K Ramasamy.A release from Raj Bhavan said Kumar had strong academic records.Speaking to TOI, Kumar said he will aim to get complete accreditation for TNAU from the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), which will pave way for more funds. “Also, along with the professors and other faculty members, I will encourage researches that will be useful to farmers,” he said.Kumar, who hails from Nagercoil, has authored eight books and 18 research papers. He has also been the editor of ‘The International Society for Horticultural Science’.A release from TNAU said three horticulture text books authored by Kumar are considered as the standards by students and are also recommended as reference books by the Union Public Service Commission.Kumar is a non-controversial choice, academicians said. The VC selection process has been plagued by controversies for the past few days, with politicians accusing favouritism by the VC search committee members in shortlisting candidates.Member of Parliament and Pattali Makkal Katchi Leader Anbumani Ramadoss had accused the search committee of ignoring worthy candidates from the 55 people who had applied. He had alleged that the 10-member shortlist had been prepared in such a way that a particular candidate — E Vadivel — who was close to ruling politicians would be selected VC. He had sought that the search committee be reconstituted. Similarly, K Krishnasamy of Puthiya Tamilagam had alleged communal bias in selection.

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