Newly appointed North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) Vice-Chancellor Prof. S.K. Barik pledged to restore normalcy at the university by resolving long-pending administrative issues, reviving stalled recruitment processes and strengthening academic and research activities.
Assuming office amid efforts to overcome a prolonged administrative crisis, Prof. Barik held separate meetings with representatives of the North-Eastern Hill University Teachers’ Association (NEHUTA), the North-Eastern Hill University Students’ Union (NEHUSU), the North-Eastern Hill University Non-Teaching Staff Association, and other stakeholders. During the meetings, various organisations submitted memorandums highlighting unresolved issues affecting the institution.
Addressing reporters, Prof. Barik said his immediate focus would be on removing administrative bottlenecks that had affected the university’s functioning and restoring confidence among teachers, students and employees.
He said NEHU must address its structural and governance challenges to reclaim its reputation as one of the country’s premier higher educational institutions.
Emphasising a consultative style of governance, the Vice-Chancellor said all major decisions would be taken after discussions with stakeholders, adding that collective participation was essential for sustainable institutional reforms.
Prof. Barik acknowledged that the university continues to face shortages of teaching and non-teaching staff, infrastructure constraints and financial challenges. He announced that the long-pending recruitment of non-teaching employees would be resumed after obtaining the necessary approvals from the Ministry of Education, with appointments being made strictly on merit and in accordance with existing rules.
The Vice-Chancellor also identified timely examinations, completion of academic sessions and the organisation of the university’s convocation as immediate priorities, expressing confidence that the convocation could be held before the end of the year.
Responding to demands raised by NEHUTA regarding faculty promotions and appointments of deans, Prof. Barik said the Executive Council would examine the representations before taking appropriate decisions.
He further assured that appointments to key administrative positions, including Registrar and Finance Officer, would be expedited to strengthen the university’s governance structure.
Prof. Barik also indicated that his administration would review several decisions taken during the tenure of former Vice-Chancellor Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla, including matters related to the Tura campus project, while ensuring that all future decisions remain within the framework of the NEHU Act, Statutes and Ordinances.
Appealing for cooperation, he urged teachers, students and employees to work collectively towards rebuilding the institution.
A distinguished botanist, Prof. Barik has been associated with NEHU for decades as a student, researcher and faculty member. Before taking charge as Vice-Chancellor, he served as Director of the CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Director of the CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, and CSIR Theme Director for Agriculture, Nutrition and Biotechnology. He has more than 38 years of research experience and has authored over 140 scientific papers.
