Ajit Kumar Shasany, Director of the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Odisha, Koraput.

According to a July 2 notification issued by Department of Higher Education under Ministry of Education, he will hold the position for a term of five years or until he attains the age of 70, whichever is earlier.

“It is a great honour to be appointed as Vice-Chancellor of a Central University located in the tribal heartland of Odisha. The challenges are enormous, but I am determined to devote my full strength to ensure that the university reaches greater heights,” he said.

A senior scientist with extensive experience across various CSIR institutions, Dr. Shasany has made notable contributions to botanical research. He was instrumental in developing a new variety of lotus at CSIR-NBRI, named ‘NBRI Namoh 108’, distinguished by its 108 petals.

He has also taken a keen interest in promoting floriculture across India, including Odisha, to enhance farmers’ incomes through flower cultivation. Moreover, he played a significant role in reviving endangered flower species traditionally used in rituals at the 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri.