Shillong,Apr. 28: The XXIVth Convocation of the North Eastern Hill University was held on Friday amid protest staged by the students of this prestigious institute, highlighting the various failures of the administration.
The students under the banner of the North Eastern Hill University Students’ Union (NEHUSU) held a sit-in-demonstration on the road leading to the Convocation Hall, before the start of the function.
The convocation was attended by member of NITI Aayog Dr Vijay Kumar Saraswat as the chief guest.
According to the union leaders, the decision to hold such protest was after the failure of the NEHU authority to address the various problems faced by the students’ fraternity despite several rounds of requests made earlier.
Irked at the frequent delay in holding the convocation by over a year, the NEHUSU has categorically alleged the NEHU authority of playing politics with the Convocation.
“Many students have been affected due to such delay especially those who are in search of jobs,” Union general secretary Elnathan W Lyngkhoi told reporters even as he added that the NEHU should ensure degree certificate is given within 2 months after announcement of the results.
Informing that they would submit a memorandum, he said that this would be last time that they are going to request the authorities to take their demands seriously.
“If not, we would be compelled to intensify our agitation by launching series of protests,” he said.
There are around 11 points of demand put forth by the students’ body which also include buying of new buses, inclusion of student representatives in the university academic council, resolving problem of lack of hostel facilities besides others.
Later, the protest ended only after the assurance given by the NEHU Vice Chancellor Prof SK Srivastava, who agreed to hold discussion with the NEHUSU leaders on the issues.
The VC also informed the students about some of the initiatives that the administration had taken on the matter. He informed that they are availing Rs 21 lakh from SBI for purchase of a new bus.
However considering that there is only 16 buses, the student leaders said that an additional of one more bus will not be enough in view of the fact that the university is having an enrollment of over 5000 students.
Meanwhile before the convocation address was delivered by Dr Saraswat, the student protestors, who arrived outside the Convocation hall, again shouted slogans and displaying of placards.
