RANCHI, India (UCAN) — People of various religions have welcomed a Jesuit priest’s appointment as vice-chancellor of a new university in Chaibasa, in eastern India’s Jharkhand state.

Cardinal Toppo (left) congratulates Father Ekka following the Jesuit priest’s appointment as vice-chancellor of Kolhan University

Father Beni Ekka’s appointment as the first vice-chancellor of Kolhan University “is a matter of pride for Christians and others in Jharkhand,” says Cardinal Telesphore P. Toppo of Ranchi, head of the Catholic Church in the state.

“It is also recognition of the Church’s contribution in the field of education,” the cardinal told UCA News.

On Aug. 12, Jharkhand Governor K. Shankaranarayanan named Father Ekka to a three-year term as the effective director of the university, which is still being set up. Governors, who represent the Indian president in their respective states, serve as the chancellors of all state-run universities. The vice-chancellors function as chief executive officers.

Father Ekka, 62, officially moved into his new office at the governor’s residence in Ranchi, the state capital, the day after his appointment. He had been director of Xavier Institute of Social Science (XISS), a Jesuit-managed business school in Ranchi, since 1994.

The priest described the “unexpected appointment” as a challenge. “It is an opportunity for me to work in an area that is rich in natural human resources, but remains underdeveloped.”

His first priority, he said, is to set up new colleges and introduce professional courses. “I have a vision to produce tribal youth professionals” to work in the region, he added.

Cardinal Toppo called Father Ekka “the right person” to lead the new university, after proving his leadership ability as XISS director. “He can do much more than others. He understands this is a special role God has assigned him,” the prelate remarked.

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. Madhu Koda, a member of India’s parliament and former state chief minister, led the celebrations.

People in Jharkhand are “lucky” to get Father Ekka to head the new university, Koda later told UCA News. “He will provide a firm base for the university” as did for XISS, he added.

According to Koda, who follows a traditional tribal religion, the new university will bring higher education to students in one of the state’s most backward regions. “I dreamt about such a university during my college days,” he added.

In 2007, the state government Koda led promised to establish the university in Chaibasa. “Some vested interests delayed the foundation of the university. They opposed providing academic facilities to tribal students,” Koda alleges.

Some students said they expect the Jesuit priest to make the university a shining light in the country. “Now we have our own university and are lucky to have Father Ekka as vice-chancellor,” enthused Sunita Sumbroi, a Ho tribal girl in Chaibasa.

Former governments “left us educationally backward,” said Salkhan Soy, a Catholic tribal student. “Now we hope to have many colleges under this university.”

Mohammad Bari, a Muslim leader in Chaibasa, acknowledges the university has brought “tremendous joy” for local people. Father Ekka’s appointment “has further increased our happiness,” he told UCA News. “We have high expectations for the Catholic priest.”

In Ranchi, Muslim leader Naushad Khan said he would miss the Jesuit priest. Father Ekka maintained good relations with people from all religions and “always found time for people, especially in social work,” he said.

Catholics now head two of the state’s five universities, and the two administrators are former classmates.

Victor Tigga, vice-chancellor of Sido Kanhu University, studied with Father Ekka at St. Ignatius High School in Gumla and said the priest will do “his best for Kolhan University, since he is an able administrator.”