BENGALURU: The governor’s secretariat on Thursday issued a notification inviting applications for the post of vice-chancellor of the Karnataka State Open University, Mysuru (KSOU).

This comes close on the heels of KSOU Vice-Chancellor Sharanappa V Halase’s action of hosting a three-day international conference on ‘Ekatma Manav Darshan’ that led to a controversy.

KSOU organised the conference in association with ‘Prajna Pravah’ and Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Research Foundation on the university premises from March 25. The last date for submission of applications is May 10, 2026.

Prof Halase took charge as Vice-Chancellor of KSOU on November 22, 2022. While his term ended in November 2025, the governor’s office gave him six months’ extension (till June 2026).

The state government had issued a show cause notice to Prof Halase, asking him to justify his failure to follow the protocol and not bringing the matter of organising the international conference on the premises of the university to its notice.

The government was not satisfied with his reply and ordered him to cancel the conference on March 24. However, the conference was held and Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot participated in it.