Shillong, January 30, 2025 – The North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) is currently grappling with leadership uncertainties, as key stakeholders—including the NEHU Teachers’ Association, NEHU Students’ Union, and the Non-Teaching Staff Association—have raised concerns over the functionality of the Vice Chancellor’s (VC) office. The university community has expressed its discontent over the lack of proactive governance, particularly after the regular Vice Chancellor, Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla, went on extended leave.
Concerns Over Administrative Delays
Following Prof. Shukla’s absence, the acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nirmalendu Saha, took over the responsibilities. However, the university’s statutory bodies are concerned that under his leadership, an Executive Council (EC) meeting—the highest decision-making body of NEHU—has not been convened since November 15, 2024. This delay, they argue, is hampering key administrative functions, including academic decision-making, staff promotions, student welfare policies, and financial approvals.
The NEHU community has asserted that the absence of a fully functional VC office is severely affecting the institution’s efficiency. Various essential matters, including faculty recruitment, project approvals, and infrastructural developments, remain pending due to the lack of official EC meetings.
Calls for Immediate Action
The three bodies—representing faculty, students, and non-teaching staff—have collectively demanded that Prof. Saha convene an Executive Council meeting at the earliest. They stress that failing to hold such a meeting not only violates statutory requirements but also jeopardizes the smooth functioning of the university.
A senior faculty member, speaking on the condition of anonymity, expressed frustration over the administrative stagnation:
“NEHU is one of the premier educational institutions in the Northeast, yet we are witnessing an alarming level of inaction in the highest offices. Without the EC meeting, decisions that impact students, faculty promotions, and infrastructure projects are being delayed indefinitely. This is unacceptable.”
Impact on Students and Faculty
The administrative deadlock is affecting multiple aspects of university life. Students, for instance, are facing delays in scholarship disbursals and academic program approvals. Additionally, postgraduate and doctoral scholars awaiting thesis submissions and approvals are finding themselves stuck in bureaucratic hurdles.
Similarly, faculty members due for promotions or awaiting research grants are growing increasingly impatient. Some professors, who have been serving on an ad hoc basis, are worried about the lack of clarity regarding their permanent appointments.
A postgraduate student from the humanities department shared their concerns:
“We are worried about the uncertainty. Without proper leadership, our academic progress suffers. The administration needs to act fast to ensure that students do not face unnecessary hurdles in their education.”
Administrative Silence and Growing Discontent
Despite repeated appeals from the NEHU Teachers’ Association, Students’ Union, and Non-Teaching Staff Association, the acting VC’s office has remained largely silent on the issue. The lack of transparency and communication has further fueled frustration among stakeholders.
Many within the university believe that this issue highlights broader governance problems within NEHU. There have been previous instances where leadership transitions have led to temporary disruptions, but stakeholders argue that such prolonged delays in decision-making are unprecedented.
The Way Forward
The NEHU community has urged Prof. Saha to immediately take action and convene an Executive Council meeting to address these pressing issues. If the current inaction continues, stakeholders may consider escalating their demands to the Ministry of Education or other governing bodies.
With the future of NEHU’s students, faculty, and staff hanging in the balance, all eyes are now on the acting VC’s office. Will the administration heed the calls for a fully functional leadership structure, or will the crisis deepen? For now, the NEHU community waits anxiously for a resolution.
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