Shillong, August 4: Senior-most professor of the North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Prof. S. K. Barik, on Tuesday assumed charge as the Acting Vice-Chancellor after receiving approval from the President of India, following the departure of Prof. S. K. Shukla.
Shortly after taking office, Prof. Barik chaired an emergency meeting of the Executive Council, during which members considered requests for No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from two faculty members intending to contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha by-election, necessitated by the sudden demise of Dr. Ricky A. J. Syngkon.
The Executive Council approved NOCs for Dr. D.R.L. Nonglait of the Khasi Department, who is expected to contest as the National People’s Party (NPP) candidate, and Dr. Batskhem Marboh of the Department of Political Science, who is expected to contest as the Voice of the People Party (VPP) candidate.
The emergency meeting was attended by Registrar Prof. Lakhon Kma, Dr. Jemino Mawthoh, and other members of the Executive Council.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Prof. Barik said he has a deep personal connection with NEHU, having been both a student and a faculty member throughout his academic career.
“I have been a student of this university, and I have served my entire career here. I am an integral part of NEHU.”
Reflecting on the university’s legacy, he said NEHU was once counted among the country’s leading institutions but acknowledged that its standing has declined over the years.
“Once upon a time, NEHU was among the top five to seven universities in the country. Unfortunately, over the years, our status has declined.”
Prof. Barik said his foremost priority is to restore the university’s academic excellence by strengthening its core areas of teaching, learning, research, innovation and community engagement.
“My foremost objective is to restore the university’s academic excellence by strengthening teaching, learning, research and development, and enhancing our contribution to society.”
He stressed that the university already has a strong foundation and called upon faculty members, staff and students to work collectively towards rebuilding NEHU’s reputation.
“The foundation of this university has already been established. We will take it forward and work together to regain its lost glory.”
Outlining his vision for the institution, Prof. Barik said the collective commitment of the university community would be crucial in taking NEHU to greater heights.
“That is our vision. With the collective energy and commitment of the entire NEHU community, our only objective is to take the university to greater heights—at the very least, back to where it once stood, and, if possible, even higher.”
