Shillong: Vice-Chancellor of Meghalaya‘s North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla, has further extended his earned leave, with his return now scheduled for January 13.
In an email addressed to the university registrar, Prof Shukla wrote, “In continuation of my email dated 1st, December 2024 regarding my earned leave, I request an extension of the same from December 30 till January 10 (with suffix 11& 12 December) due to the same circumstances.”
Shukla said that he can be reached via phone or e-mail in case of any urgency pertaining to academic or administrative matters.
“During my absence, the senior-most professor or Pro Vice-Chancellor will assume responsibility for overseeing the university’s day-to-day operations,” stated Prof. Shukla.
Notably, the extended earned leaves of the NEHU Vice-Chancellor ended on December 29.
This extension of leave comes amidst ongoing tensions within the university, where students and faculty are demanding the resignation of the Vice Chancellor, Registrar, and other senior officials.
The two-member committee constituted by the Ministry of Education requested a 15-day extension on November 29th to submit their findings. This extended deadline concluded on December 13.
Student protests, joined by both teaching and non-teaching staff, erupted in the first week of November over allegations of mismanagement and an autocratic leadership style by the Vice Chancellor. Following these protests, the Vice Chancellor went on leave.
The students also staged a hunger strike for nearly three weeks.
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The VC had written to the Ministry of Education seeking “adequate security support from the central government” to resume his duties at NEHU from December 2 but later extended his leave till December 13.
