Professor Sherwin May Sungoh, Head of the Education Department at North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), has declined the appointment as Pro-Vice Chancellor of NEHU’s Shillong Campus. Prof. Sungoh announced her decision on Thursday while addressing students and teachers protesting outside the Academic Building.
“Regarding the situation we are in here at the university, yesterday I received a notification via WhatsApp. When I looked at it, I saw that nothing was correctly done. I have not yet received a formal letter or notification in black and white,” Prof. Sungoh stated. “So, I do not accept this offer, which was just sent to me via WhatsApp. When I looked at the notification, I saw that the signatory was not from the appropriate authority. This fight that you are carrying on—I’ve been with you from day one, supporting you in every way I can. I’ve worked here for about 35 years, and I know the challenges students face. As a mother and as a teacher, I feel for the students. I applaud and thank the student body for standing up for this issue.”
She further encouraged students not to give up on their cause, expressing hope that NEHU would reclaim its status as a top institution. “Once again, I would like to inform you that I have not accepted this offer,” she concluded.
Earlier, the North Eastern Hill University Teachers’ Association (NEHUTA) had appealed to Prof. Sungoh not to accept the position. Meanwhile, the NEHU Non-Teaching Staff Association (NEHUNSA) launched a non-cooperation movement against Vice Chancellor Prabha Shankar Shukla, responding to calls from agitating students.
“We appealed to both Prof SM Sungoh and Prof Fameline K Marak not to accept the appointments (as Pro Vice Chancellors for Shillong and Tura campus respectively), since this is a last-ditch effort made by the Vice Chancellor to save his chair,” said Dr. WR Synrem, NEHUTA president, in a statement issued on Thursday.
On Wednesday, Vice Chancellor Prof. PS Shukla appointed Prof. SM Sungoh and Prof. Fameline K Marak as Pro-Vice Chancellors for Shillong and Tura campuses, respectively, effective November 13, pending Executive Council approval.
However, the move intended to ease tensions did not sway the agitating students. Represented by the North Eastern Hill University Students’ Union (NEHUSU) and backed by the Khasi Students Union (KSU – NEHU Unit) and NEHUTA, students have rejected these appointments on technical grounds and continue their indefinite hunger strike, now in its tenth day, demanding the VC’s removal