Shillong, July 22: The Khasi Student Union has sent memorandum to the Union Education Minister Mr.Dharmendra Pradhan urging the Government of India to appoint of new Vice Chancellor in North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong, Meghalaya.
The Khasi Students’ Union is a student based organization in the State of Meghalaya which strives towards the empowerment and betterment of the Khasis in different aspects of life. Through this letter, the Education Cell of the Union would like to bring to your notice certain aspects of the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU).
The University which was established on 19th July, 1973 is in the suburb of Shillong, capital of Meghalaya, India. The University since its inception has played a pivotal role in imparting academic advancement to the students of the State as well as other states of India.
That, being the Central University in the State and holding the academic aspirations of thousands of students in the region, the University need to be guided by a proper and fit Vice Chancellor who can determine the progress, development and advancement of the University.
The Union would like to mention that time and again it has expressed its concern over the Vice Chancellor of the North Eastern Hill University and also had also written to the former Education Minister Shri. Ramesh Pokhriyal, over the selection of the new and right Vice Chancellor who is appropriate for the University which has been pending for several months now and which has hamper the growth and progress of the University.
The KSU mention that as there is lack of authority persuasiveness in taking key decisions for the welfare of the University as the term of the present Vice Chancellor has ended.
The Union would like to state that over the 5 (five) years as Prof. S. K. Srivastava has taken charge as the Vice Chancellor of the University, the growth and progress of the University has been deteriorating and declining rapidly which is evident from the fact that the ranking of the University has slipped and fallen from rank of 16 to a lowly position of below 50 in the National Institutional Ranking Framework.
Over the years there has been many protest and agitations against Prof. S. K. Srivastava from the students, the teachers, the staffs and employees of the University to express their anger and resentment in his incompetence and incapability as a Vice Chancellor to resolve over various matters which has been put forward to him.
Allegations have also been made against him for mismanagement of public resources, misguided policies, and lack of academic conferences which is essential in academics perception. He also led to a creation of a caucus of a few favored teachers and staffs who enjoy the patronage of the highest office of NEHU creating a negative atmosphere of nepotism and favoritism in the University.
Thus, it is going to be an absolute herculean task for the next Vice Chancellor of the University to undo all the wrongs that the present Vice Chancellor of the University has made and to bring the University back right on track.
Therefore, it is of utmost importance that the need of the hour of the University is that the next Vice Chancellor should be a person capable enough of leading and restoring the University academics advancement and creating an ambience which is passive and progressive for the growth of the University.
Hence, the Education Cell of the Khasi Students’ Union Central Executive Council would humbly like to opine the name of PROF. SHERWIN MAY SUNGOH as the next Vice Chancellor of North Eastern Hill University who is the only candidate who has been short listed for the post of Vice Chancellor from the University.
The reason being so is that the Union is of the opinion that culture and ethos of the region (Meghalaya) should be one of the key considerations in the selection of the new Vice Chancellor.
The KSU mention that she is a person with a background in education and being an experienced educationist yourself, you are very much aware of the challenges the next Vice Chancellor is ought to meet.
It is of utmost importance that the local ethos and sentiments be carefully considered considering the adverse situation that has arisen in the past five years.
To conclude, North Eastern Hill University is the center of education for the State, thus the educational system in the University should lead to advance educational research in the frontiers of educational science and other fields.
Thus, the Union humbly appeals to appoint at this juncture of the turbulent history of the University a lady since it is natural that as a woman, a mother, an educationist is expected to fulfill the much needed healing touch to the University, the memorandum was sign by Chairman Education Cell Raymond Kharjana.
