Shillong, July 27: Professor Saroj Kanta Barik on Monday assumed charge as the Vice-Chancellor of North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), with his immediate priority being to restore normalcy on the campus and rebuild confidence among all stakeholders.
His appointment follows an order issued by the Ministry of Education on July 22, under which the President of India, in her capacity as the Visitor of NEHU, approved handing over the charge of Vice-Chancellor to Prof. Barik after the expiry of the previous Vice-Chancellor’s tenure on July 26. He will remain in charge until a regular Vice-Chancellor assumes office.
Soon after taking charge, Prof. Barik held consultations with teachers, students and non-teaching staff, signalling his intention to adopt a dialogue-driven and consensus-based approach to the university’s administration.
Rather than announcing major policy decisions, the new Vice-Chancellor said his immediate focus would be on addressing administrative bottlenecks that have affected the functioning of the university and creating an environment where teaching, research and student welfare receive top priority.
A distinguished academic with decades of association with NEHU as a student, researcher and Professor of Botany, Prof. Barik brings extensive administrative experience to the post. He has previously served as Director of the CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute and the CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research.
With over 38 years of research experience, more than 140 international publications and supervision of 26 Ph.D. scholars, Prof. Barik is recognised as a leading scientist in the fields of biodiversity, Himalayan ecology and mountain agriculture.
Emphasising the need to restore the university’s academic standing, Prof. Barik said rebuilding trust among teachers, students, employees and the administration would be essential. He added that once stability is restored, NEHU can focus on strengthening research, innovation and academic excellence to regain its position as one of the country’s premier institutions.
