Bhubaneswar: Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati on Monday appointed vice-chancellors to 14 state-run universities, filling long-pending vacancies.

Chandi Prasad Nanda was named vice-chancellor of Utkal University, Santosh Kumar Tripathy of Fakir Mohan University and Arka Kumar Das Mohapatra of Ravenshaw University, officials said.

Vice-chancellors were also appointed to several other institutions, including Khallikote Unitary University in Berhampur and Shree Jagannath Sanskrit University in Puri.

Expressing confidence in the appointments, Kambhampati, who is also the chancellor of the universities, said the new vice-chancellors would strengthen education, research and innovation in the state.

The appointments come amid criticism from the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD), which had warned of statewide protests over delays in filling the posts.

The party alleged that the absence of full-time vice-chancellors had led to administrative paralysis in universities and pointed out that the recruitment process had been initiated nearly nine months ago.

Officials said the appointments are expected to restore administrative stability and improve academic functioning across the institutions.