Shillong, May 26: The North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong celebrated its University Day on May 26th, 2020 in front of the Administrative Block, permanent campus. It may be mentioned that the North-Eastern University was established on May 26, 1973 with the objective to disseminate and advance knowledge by providing instructional and research facilities.
The programme was a low key affair due to the Covid-19 pandemic while maintaining social distancing. After a flag hoisting Prof. S.K. Srivastava, Vice-Chancellor, NEHU in the presence of the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Deans, Registrar, Finance Officer, Controller of Examinations, teachers, students and non-teaching staff, spoke briefly about the challenges the pandemic has caused in the field of education.
He said the faculty, staff and students are trying to minimise the academic losses due to Covid-19 by engaging in online activities. Prof. Srivastava expressed his gratitude and appreciation to his colleagues that despite various inconveniences and constraints, they are trying to serve the cause of higher education in general and the State of Meghalaya in particular.
The Vice-Chancellor further thanked the employees of NEHU including faculty and non-teaching staff for contributing to the PM CARES and also the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. “This is a great initiative which conveys to the nation that NEHU stands with the people who are suffering,” he said.
Prof. Srivastava also expressed his appreciation to the Corona warriors – the doctors, nurses, sanitation workers, law enforcers and other supporting staff — for their sacrifices in the field.“They are the frontline fighters and are facing the pandemic bravely to minimise the losses due to the virus,” he added.
The Vice-Chancellor took the opportunity to praise the leadership of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma. “We have a great leader in our honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji who is guiding us in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic.
The VC of NEHU also said that Meghalaya have great leader, The Chief Minister, Shri Conrad K Sangmaji, who along with his team are trying to facilitate various initiatives and actions to keep the people safe and comfortable.”
Prof. Shrivastava also lauded the Minister of Human Resource Development, Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal for serving the cause of higher education in the country and for taking various initiatives on higher education during Covid-19 pandemic.
Last but not the least, the Vice-Chancellor recalled the contribution of those whose vision resulted in the birth of the North-Eastern Hill University. “It’s because of the very vision of our ancestors that NEHU has come into existence.
Prof Shrivastava would like to place on record my gratitude to our elders who initiated this great institution in the north eastern region to serve the cause of higher education for the people of the hills, for their social, economic and technological development.”
The Vice Chancellor also recalled the various leaders of the University and the contributions by the respective vice chancellors, faculties and staff both past and present, which have made a very high place for NEHU in the academic world in terms of high quality teaching and learning activities, high quality research, which has impacted the various social-economic development issues.
“I am very proud to recall many of our alumni who raise the name of University very high wherever they are whether in India or abroad,” he said adding that “we have to rededicate our energy and efforts to continue this similar spirit of sincerity and excellence in whatever we do be it in the classrooms, laboratories or offices.”
Prof. Srivastava concluded his speech by urging the University stakeholders to rise up to the challenges and tough situations by “rededicating ourselves to serve the cause of higher education.”
