New Delhi, Aug 31 - Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal Monday announced that vice-chancellors of universities in the country would be appointed by a collegium headed by an eminent person equivalent to a Nobel laureate, and not the central or state government.

Sibal told reporters here: 'The collegium will consist of 30 to 40 people headed by an eminent personality, lets say a Nobel laureate. They will decide whom to appoint.'

'The government will not interfere in it,' Sibal said, after the 56th meeting of the Central Advisory Board on Education attended by education ministers and officials from the states.

He said: 'The biggest thing that emerged (from the meeting) was the appointment of vice-chancellors. All the states supported this move.'

Normally the government appoints a search committee to identify and recommend names for appointment as vice chancellor.