Prof PS Shukla terms ‘unlawful’ Academic Council meet called by Pro-VC Sherwin Sungoh
Shillong, May 19: NEHU vice-chancellor Prof Prabha Shankar Shukla has termed “unlawful” an Academic Council meeting convened by pro vice-chancellor Prof Sherwin Sungoh on May 21 and warned of “appropriate action” that may jeopardise the future of students.
Already mired by administrative chaos and clear rift with student bodies, this is yet another blow to any hope of restoration of normalcy in the premier central institution, North Eastern Hill University (NEHU).
“If the May 21 meeting is held, appropriate action will be taken,” Prof Shukla warned.
Terming the pro-VC’s decision to call the meeting “unilateral”, he said, “Such decisions by the Pro Vice Chancellor risk further administrative chaos and jeopardise the future of thousands of students and the stability of its affiliated institutions.”
He also alleged that Prof Sungoh had self-declared as in-charge VC under pressure from NEHU Teachers’ Association (NEHUTA).
“She has no legal authority to convene such a meeting under the NEHU Act and statutes,” he said.
Earlier, Prof Shukla had officially instructed the joint registrar to issue a notice for adjournment of the Academic Council meeting. However, the joint registrar did not carry out the instruction.
Reacting to this inaction, the registrar Col Omkar Singh (retd) issued a notice to convene the meeting on May 23, following a proper administrative protocol.
“Despite this, Prof Sungoh issued a separate notice through the joint registrar calling for the same meeting two days earlier, on May 21,” Prof Shukla said.
The NEHU VC said the pro-VC’s action has sparked widespread concern and that many have termed it unauthorised and in clear violation of university rules that empowers only the VC to convene an Academic Council meeting.
“Several senior faculty members and legal experts have voiced strong criticism,” he said.
“Any decisions made in such a meeting could be challenged in court and may not be recognised as valid. This has serious implications for the functioning of the university. The degrees of the students will be directly affected by this meeting,” he added.
He warned that there could be possible delay in announcing examination results and awarding degrees to graduating students.
“Academic planning for the upcoming session could also be disrupted, including the approval of new courses, revision of syllabi, and scheduling of examinations,” Prof Shukla said.
More importantly, the VC said, this situation could negatively impact students, particularly those who are planning to apply for higher education or jobs and need their degrees in time.
Further, Prof Shukla said the effects of this controversy could also spread beyond the university campus since NEHU is the affiliating university for many colleges in Meghalaya and neighbouring states.
“If Academic Council decisions are legally disputed, affiliated colleges may not be able to certify the results of their students or make changes to academic programmes,” he said.
There accreditation processes and compliance with guidelines set by the University Grants Commission and the National Assessment and Accreditation Council may be affected as well, he warned.
Claiming that several college principals have expressed concern over the pro-VC’s move, the NEHU VC said, “One principal, without naming, said that if degrees are delayed or disputed, colleges will have to answer to parents, students, and government bodies, despite having no role in the internal decision of the university.”
