Shillong: Prof SK Barik took charge as North-Eastern Hill University Vice-Chancellor on Monday. He immediately signaled a clean break from the Shukla era. The new chief plans to scrap administrative paralysis and restart stalled recruitment. He held meetings with the NEHU Teachers Association, Student Union, and Non-Teaching Staff Association to address a mountain of grievances.
Barik inherits a university hampered by manpower shortages, poor infrastructure, and tight finances. The institution relies heavily on contract workers due to long-vacant positions. He promised to restart non-teaching staff hiring after getting Ministry of Education approval. He pledged to use merit-based hiring practices. He also intends to prioritize filling Registrar and Finance Officer roles to fix the university's governance.
The VC wants examinations and academic sessions back on track. He expects a convocation before the year ends. Barik promised to review controversial decisions from his predecessor, including the Tura campus construction project. He will examine every stakeholder memorandum under the rules of the NEHU Act.
“Our objective is to resolve these issues permanently so that NEHU regains its lost glory. Once these issues are settled, we can focus on academics, research, innovation and community engagement,” Barik said. He stressed that collective action remains his primary tool for reform. The veteran botanist brings decades of experience from CSIR labs and his long tenure as a NEHU professor to the role.
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