Nagpur University has entered a new chapter in its long history by appointing its first woman Vice-Chancellor. Manali Kshirsagar assumed the top post on Monday, marking a significant milestone for the institution which is over a century old. Her appointment also highlights a broader, though slow, trend of women from the Vidarbha region ascending to leadership roles in state and national academic bodies.
A Long-Awaited Breakthrough for Nagpur University
This historic appointment ends a wait of more than 100 years for Nagpur University to be led by a woman. The journey to this point was not straightforward. In the early 1980s, the university came close to having a woman VC, but political dynamics and a male-dominated system prevented it from happening. Senior academician Dr Vedprakash Mishra reflected on this period, noting the presence of capable women like former LAD principal Rajni Rai and former NU dean Asha Patwardhan in statutory bodies. He pointed out that while there may not have been a deliberate conspiracy, a psychological resistance and lack of recognition of women's capabilities in education has long been a barrier, a sentiment that persists in many areas today.
Pioneering Women Academics from Vidarbha
Manali Kshirsagar is only the sixth woman academician from the Vidarbha region to rise to the position of Vice-Chancellor at a major institution. The path was first charted by former NU physics professor Kamal Singh, who became the first woman VC from Vidarbha when she was appointed at Amravati University in October 2005. Singh herself had been a finalist for the Nagpur University VC post earlier, but the position went to SN Pathan. Recalling her experience, Singh expressed happiness at Nagpur University's milestone, acknowledging that she lacked political backing during her attempt.
Following Singh, only a handful of women have been shortlisted for NU's top job. Shivaji Education Society's Smita Deshmukh was among the final five candidates in the recent selection process as well. Other notable women leaders from Vidarbha include Mrunalini Fadnavis, former VC of Solapur University, and Ujwala Chakradeo, the current VC of SNDT Women's University.
Current Landscape and the Challenge of Representation
Currently, two Nagpur-based academicians are leading prestigious institutions: Dr Neelam Mishra at Krishna University, Karad, and Shashikala Wanjari at the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA). Both hold the rare distinction of serving a second term as vice-chancellors. Despite these successes, women remain severely underrepresented in top academic administrative positions. As Kamal Singh observed, throughout most of her career, key posts like the VC-ship were largely a male bastion.
Dr Vedprakash Mishra emphasized that this underrepresentation is not unique to Nagpur but is a widespread issue across Maharashtra and India. The appointment of Manali Kshirsagar is a positive step, but it also serves as a reminder of the systemic hurdles that have delayed such progress for decades. It underscores the need for a more inclusive and meritocratic approach to leadership selection in India's higher education sector.
