Lieutenant General Dr Madhuri Kanitkar, PVSM, AVSM who has a dedicated tenure in defence, who has contributed a lot during COVID-19 pandemic when Prime Minister Narendra Modi had himself asked defence forces to work in the fight against this deadly virus, has become Vice Chancellor of Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS). Governor of Maharashtra Bhagat Singh Koshyari who is Chancellor of Universities in the State, has appointed Lieutenant General Dr Madhuri Rajeev Kanitkar as the new Vice Chancellor of MUHS. Lt Gen Dr Madhuri Kanitkar, PVSM, AVSM who is serving as the Deputy Chief Integrated Defence Staff in the Ministry of Defence has been appointed as the Vice-Chancellor for a term of 5 years or till attaining the age of 65 years whichever is earlier, from the date she assumes the office of the Vice-Chancellor.

 

‘The Hitavada’ was the first to contact Lt Gen Dr Madhuri Kanitkar and congratulate. While expressing her happiness, Lt Gen Dr Madhuri Kanitkar said, “It is a good omen as I am experiencing several good things around me. I am looking forward to take the university at a newer height. My predecessor has done several good things. I and my team would steer those projects. I will not disturb the ecosytem of the university.” Dr Madhuri Kanitkar obtained her MBBS degree from the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune standing first in the University. She passed MD Paediatrics and also obtained DNB Paediatrics. Dr Kanitkar served as Dean of AFMS from January 2017 to May 2019. She has a total experience of 22 years in teaching and research. She was presented the Best Teacher Award by MUHS in the year 2008. Lt Gen Dr Madhuri Kanitkar succeeds Dr Dilip Mhaisekar whose term ended on February 10, 2021.

 

Vice-Chancellor of the Savitribai Phule Pune University Dr Nitin Karmalkar was holding the additional charge of the post of vice chancellor. The Governor had constituted a selection committee under the chairmanship of Justice Kalpesh Jhaveri (Retd), former Chief Justice of Odisha High Court to recommend to him a panel of names suitable for appointment of the Vice-Chancellor. Prof Randeep Guleria, Director, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and Saurabh Vijay, Secretary, Medical Education and Drugs Department were members of the Committee. There were five persons shortlisted for the post of Vice Chancellor. They include Dr Madhuri Kanitkar, Dr Ajay Chandanwale, Dr Nitin Gangne, Dr Aarti Kinikar and Dr Deepak Raut.