SHILLONG: North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) Vice-Chancellor Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla has been elected as an Executive Council member of the prestigious Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), United Kingdom.
The ACU, a network of over 550 universities across the Commonwealth, plays a pivotal role in enhancing global higher education, promoting collaboration and knowledge exchange among member universities, encouraging academic and research partnerships, and advocating for policies that support high-quality higher education.
The ACU aims to improve the quality and accessibility of education by facilitating joint research projects, student and faculty exchanges, and sharing best practices.
This collaborative approach ensures that member institutions benefit from global expertise and resources, contributing to a more interconnected and advanced higher education system that supports sustainable development and equitable access to education across the Commonwealth.
Expressing his excitement, Prof. Shukla said, “Being elected to the ACU Executive Council is a privilege and a testament to NEHU’s commitment to academic excellence.”
“My election will significantly benefit NEHU, its affiliated colleges, and other universities in the northeast region by opening new avenues for international collaboration and exchange,” he said.
Shukla further stated that it would enable NEHU to develop stronger partnerships with universities across the Commonwealth, enhance research capabilities, and access global expertise.
“This role will allow us to share and adopt best practices in teaching, learning, administration to increase our global visibility,” he said.
As a council member, Prof. Shukla’s key focus is to leverage this platform to advance the goals of India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, particularly in terms of internationalization.
Prof. Shukla also highlighted the potential of indigenous and natural products of the Northeast region in promoting entrepreneurship activities.
“The indigenous and natural products of the northeast region offer immense potential for promoting entrepreneurship activities. In collaboration with ACU, we can encourage innovative business ventures using local resources and traditional knowledge, contributing to sustainable development. This support will help explore the unique strengths of the northeast region and promote economic growth and entrepreneurial spirit,” he said.
In his message to the NEHU community, Prof. Shukla called for collective efforts to capitalize on this opportunity.
“This role will enable me to advocate for NEHU on a global stage. Through these global connections, we can enhance our academic and research capabilities, offer our students unique learning experiences, and attract top-tier faculty and researchers,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of faculty and student engagement in international collaborations, research initiatives, and academic exchange programs.
