The Centre has approved the appointment of Prof Saroj Kanta Barik as the acting Vice-Chancellor of the North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) after the tenure of the incumbent vice-chancellor ends on July 26.
According to an order issued by the Ministry of Education on July 22, the President of India, in her capacity as the Visitor of NEHU, has approved handing over the charge of vice-chancellor to Prof Barik, the second senior-most professor in the university’s Department of Botany, until a regular vice-chancellor assumes office.
The order, addressed to the NEHU Registrar, stated that Barik would take charge following the completion of the incumbent Vice-Chancellor Shukla’s tenure, ensuring continuity in the university’s academic and administrative functioning while the appointment process for a regular vice-chancellor is finalised.
The decision comes after months of uncertainty at the Shillong-based central university, where prolonged protests by students’ and teachers’ organisations over alleged administrative and governance issues disrupted normal functioning. Shukla has largely remained away from the campus since proceeding on leave in November 2024 amid the unrest.
The Ministry of Education had initiated the process for appointing a new vice-chancellor on May 20 by inviting online applications until June 18. The notification stated that the successful candidate would serve as the university’s academic and administrative head and should possess high standards of competence, integrity and institutional commitment, along with at least 10 years of experience as a professor or equivalent academic and administrative experience.
The interim arrangement follows repeated demands from various stakeholders for early intervention by the Centre to restore stability at the university.
Earlier, on May 25, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said he had raised the need for the early appointment of a new vice-chancellor during a meeting with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Sharing details of the meeting, Sangma said discussions focused on strengthening higher education in Meghalaya and the Northeast. He also sought the Centre’s support for the expansion of Captain Williamson Sangma State University under the PM-USHA MERU initiative and urged faster implementation of pending PMJVK projects at NEHU’s Tura campus.
Describing the appointment of a new vice-chancellor as an immediate priority, Sangma had thanked the Union minister for supporting efforts to strengthen educational institutions and expand opportunities for students in the region.
