Shillong, November 9 : The Vice-Chancellor of North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla, has issued a heartfelt appeal to the student community to call off their ongoing agitation and enter into constructive dialogue with the university administration. Prof. Shukla emphasized his commitment to addressing the concerns raised by students and urged for a collaborative approach to resolving the issues.
In a public statement, Prof. Shukla reiterated that his primary focus is the well-being of the students and the overall progress of NEHU. He expressed deep concern for the students’ health and welfare, noting that he has made repeated attempts to engage with them, despite being confined to his residence due to the ongoing unrest.
“I hold no animosity toward the students and want nothing more than their success and development. I am ready to meet their demands in a fair and transparent manner,” Prof. Shukla said. “My aim is to resolve all issues, but for that, we need to have an open, constructive dialogue.”
To address the students’ concerns, Prof. Shukla announced plans for an Executive Council (EC) meeting scheduled for Monday, November 11, 2024. This meeting, which was originally planned earlier but delayed due to restrictions, will focus on critical matters such as the appointment of a new Pro-Vice-Chancellor and the formation of an inquiry committee to review recent appointments of the Registrar and Deputy Registrar.
Prof. Shukla emphasized the importance of allowing the EC meeting to take place, as it is vital to resolving pressing administrative issues and advancing the university’s goals.
Since taking office, Prof. Shukla has worked to raise NEHU’s profile by focusing on skill development, entrepreneurship, and job opportunities for students. Under his leadership, new skill development programs have been launched at the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Community College (DDUCC) in Wahiajer, with similar initiatives now extending to the Tura campus. Additionally, new start-ups have been nurtured, contributing to NEHU’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Prof. Shukla also noted that recruitment efforts at the university, which had been stalled for nearly a decade, have been revitalized under his tenure.
“My only goal is to see NEHU flourish and for our students to succeed. I am ready to address every concern in the spirit of compromise and collaboration,” Prof. Shukla said, urging students to work with the administration for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis.
As tensions continue to rise, the Vice-Chancellor stressed the need for cooperation between students and administration to move forward in a way that benefits the entire university community. He called for a peaceful resolution that would allow NEHU to continue its development and fulfill its mission of providing quality education and opportunities for its students.
The university is hopeful that with open communication, both the administration and student body can find common ground and work together for the betterment of NEHU.
