Jesuit’s vice-chancellor appointment delights Jharkhand residents

(August 24, 2009) The appointment of a Jesuit priest as vice-chancellor of a new university in eastern India’s Jharkhand state has been welcomed by the state’s residents. Jharkhand Governor K. Shankaranarayanan on Aug. 12, named Father Beni Ekka to a three-year term as vice-chancellor of Kolhan University in Chaibasa, which is still being set up. Cardinal Telesphore Toppo, Archbishop of Ranchi, head of the Catholic Church in the state said Father Ekka’s appointment “is a matter of pride for Christians and others in Jharkhand.” He told UCA News, “It is also recognition of the Church's contribution in the field of education.” Father Ekka officially moved into his new office at the governor’s residence in Ranchi, the state capital, the day after his appointment. The 62-year old priest had been director of Xavier Institute of Social Science (XISS), a Jesuit-managed business school in Ranchi, since 1994. On Aug. 13, thousands of students from all religions held a rally in Chaibasa, a major town in the state, to celebrate the priest’s appointment. Fr. Ekka said his first priority would be to set up new colleges and introduce professional courses to create professionalism among tribal youth.