Shillong, July 27: The North-Eastern Hill University Students’ Union and the KSU NEHU Unit on Monday expressed relief over the departure of Vice Chancellor Prof PS Shukla, and urged the university administration to address long-pending governance and academic issues under the new leadership.
Prof Shukla’s five-year tenure ended on July 26. The Union Ministry of Education had appointed Prof. Saroj Kanta Barik as acting Vice-Chancellor on July 27.
NEHUSU general secretary Martin Warjri, speaking to reporters, thanked various organisations, Dorbar Shnongs, student unions and civil society groups for supporting the agitation from the beginning. “…we thank everyone who stood with us. Today we are pleased to announce that Prof. Shukla is no longer on the NEHU campus. The university is now free from those who avoided responsibility for the problems faced by this institution,” he said.
The student leaders later met the Acting Vice Chancellor and submitted a memorandum raising concerns that had accumulated over the last few years. The discussions, Warjri said, were cordial and focused on restoring normalcy and accountability in the university.
One of the key issues flagged was the manner in which appointments to the posts of Registrar In-charge and Finance Officer In-charge were made during Prof Shukla’s tenure.
NEHUSU alleged that the process was not in accordance with the NEHU Act and Statutes and urged the Acting VC to review the matter and initiate corrective steps.
Prof Barik assured the delegation that the matter would be placed before the Executive Council for examination.
The union also stressed the need to revive the university’s convocation, which has not been held for the past three years. Given NEHU’s standing as a central university, Warjri said it was important to ensure that students receive their degrees in a formal ceremony and that the practice continues in the coming years.
Prof Barik responded that efforts would be made to hold a convocation within December 2026. Staff shortages in both teaching and non-teaching categories also figured prominently in the meeting.
NEHUSU pointed out that the shortage has placed an undue burden on existing faculty, with one teacher often handling hundreds of students, and that essential services have been affected.
The Acting VC assured that the administration would look into the manpower requirements.
The students further urged the administration to ensure a timely and smooth admission process this year, citing repeated delays in previous years. They also raised the issue of an administrative vacuum at the top level over the past two years, and sought early steps to fill key positions to ensure stable functioning.
Warjri said the Acting VC was open to discussing the welfare of the university and had given assurances on each of the concerns raised.
