Prof Sherwin May Sungoh has refused to accept her appointment as pro vice chancellor of North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU).
It may be mentioned that Prof. Sungoh was yesterday appointed as pro vice chancellor of NEHU Shillong campus while Dr. Fameline K. Marak was appointed as pro vice chancellor of NEHU Tura campus.
Prof. Sungoh said that did not receive any official notification regarding her appointment and the notification sent to her was through WhatsApp which was not signed by an appropriate authority.
Stating that the notification was signed by the assistant registrar, “a position I believe lacks the necessary authority to issue such a communication”, Prof. Sungoh said, “Without an official notice from a proper channel, this message holds no weight for me.”
“I will not allow myself to be manipulated by individuals resorting to desperate measures. I refuse to be a pawn in any personal or political agenda,” she added while also extending her support to the students’ demands for the welfare of the university.
Meanwhile, Dr. Marak who was appointed as pro vice chancellor of NEHU Tura campus has also reportedly declined the position.
Meanwhile, the hunger strike by students of the university which began on November 6 has now entered its ninth day.
The agitating students also rejected the appointments of the two pro vice chancellors, reaffirming their demand for the resignation of vice chancellor Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla.
The NEHU Students’ Union (NEHUSU) said the core demand now is for removal of Prof. Shukla.
“Our sole demand right now is the removal or resignation of the vice chancellor. Until this is addressed, we will not take his decisions seriously,” NEHUSU stated while questioning how Prof. Shukla could make key decisions while “hiding” away.
The students also questioned the legitimacy of the appointments of the two pro vice chancellors citing irregularities in the process.
According to them, the notification for the appointments was issued by the Assistant Registrar (Planning) rather than the Joint Registrar (Establishment) which is against university protocols.
