SHILLONG, DEC 16: The Pro Vice-Chancellor of North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Prof S Umdor, has tendered his resignation from the post, effective from the afternoon of December 15.
The decision comes amidst an ongoing administrative crisis at the university, marked by the absence of key officials and opposition from students and staff associations.
In a statement, Prof Umdor expressed gratitude to all for their cooperation and support, hoping for the restoration of stability and continued progress of NEHU.
“Given the prevailing situation—marked by the absence of essential support systems and continued uncertainty surrounding key institutional decisions—it was felt that continuing in office would not serve the best interests of the University or uphold the standards of accountability and professionalism expected of the position,” he said.
The resignation follows a period of significant achievements, including the successful conduct of end-semester examinations, completion of teacher promotions, and hosting of national and international academic programs like the Smart India Hackathon 2025.
However, the university has been facing challenges, including a 42% reduction in UGC recurring grants and opposition from students and staff associations over attempts to convene Executive Council meetings without adequate representation.
“One of the most significant challenges during this period was managing a 42% reduction in UGC recurring grants for the financial year 2025–26. Through austerity measures, rationalised deployment of resources, and revision of examination fees, efforts were made to stabilise the University’s finances while ensuring timely payment of wages to temporary staff. Other key milestones achieved include the progression of the NEP-UG programme into its fifth semester, introduction of revised curricula incorporating internships, vocational components, and MOOCs, and the successful conduct of CUET-based admissions for affiliated colleges in Meghalaya for the first time,” Prof Umdor said.
“However, repeated attempts to convene meetings of the Executive Council under the chairmanship of the Vice-Chancellor—despite strong opposition from students and staff associations—have contributed to unrest and have vitiated the campus atmosphere. Suggestions to allow the Senior Pro Vice-Chancellor (Tura Campus) to chair meetings of the Executive Council until outstanding issues with stakeholders were resolved were not accepted. Such an arrangement, it was felt, would have enabled urgent matters concerning the welfare of students and staff to be addressed without further delay. Decisions and actions taken in the routine discharge of academic and administrative responsibilities have increasingly been contested, leading to delays and disruption. These circumstances have also resulted in the resignation of the Registrar, the Finance Officer, and senior faculty members who had voluntarily taken on additional administrative responsibilities,” he added.
The NEHU Students’ Union, NEHU Teachers’ Association, and other bodies had demanded Prof. Umdor’s resignation, citing administrative paralysis and failure to address key issues.
“The responsibility to uphold assurances and ensure effective functioning rests with the Pro Vice-Chancellor’s office… continuation in the post is no longer in the best interest of the university,” the statement read.
By Our Reporter
