Jamshedpur, May 15: Director of National Institute of Technology (NIT)-Rourkela S.K. Sarangi today visited the NIT-Jamshedpur campus and addressed the faculty members and students. However, he could not take charge as the institute director.

The absence of acting director Akhileswar Mishra forced Sarangi to postpone the charge-taking formality by two weeks. The date of his assuming office is yet to be finalised.

“I was here to take charge as the NIT-Jamshedpur director from the acting director. But, I learnt that the professor is yet to return from the NIT directors’ meet in New Delhi,” said Sarangi.

Sarangi told The Telegraph that he would occupied with work at Rourkela for the next two weeks. Hence, he would be able to take charge of NIT-Jamshedpur only after a fortnight.

Sarangi, who would hold dual charge, said that if the joining process had been completed today, the pend- ing work of the faculty members as well as the non-teaching staff could have been disposed off. “I will monitor things from Rourkela,” said Sarangi.

Replying to a query, Sarangi revealed that he had all the necessary documents for joining NIT-Jamshedpur.

“The ministry of human resource development has given me the authorisation letter for joining here today. The letter is with me, but I am unable to take charge,” he said.

Sources in NIT revealed that a senior professor, N.K. Narayan, who was the acting director, was ready to hand over the charge to Sarangi today, but the NIT-Rourkela director declined to take charge from him.

There was excitement among the faculty members as they spent time with director designate today.

Addressing the faculty members, Sarangi urged them to work for the institute by fully involving themselves.

He added that for an educational institution of NIT’s stature, the faculty was equally important as its administrative body.

“The teachers should, therefore, not feel low when they face problems related to their careers,” said Sarangi. He said that every problem has a solution, but all should work to augment the standard of the institute.

Addressing the non-teaching staff of the college, Sarangi urged them to work in the same way like a person does for his own family.

The non-teaching staff had planned to place a charter of demands before Sarangi, but they dropped the programme.

While interacting with the students, Sarangi had to face queries regarding the problem of powercuts and the security aspect on the campus.

He assured the students of necessary help when he joins NIT-Jamshedpur a fortnight later.