SHILLONG: Prof. David R. Syiemlieh was appointed as the chairman of the Union Public Service Commission on Saturday by the President. 63-year-old Syiemlieh is the second person from Meghalaya who achieved the feat after Rose Bathew Kharbuli, who was the first woman chairperson of the commission in the 1980s.
Prior to the fresh appointment, Syiemlieh was functioning as a UPSC member from June 25, 2012, till date. He had also held various posts in NEHU, including its Pro-Vice chancellor, Registrar, Controller of Examinations and Professor of History. It was after his appointment as Vice Chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi University in Arunachal Pradesh that Syiemlieh was appointed as the new member of UPSC. When contacted, Syiemlieh expressed happiness over the appointment as UPSC chief. “It is a big achievement. I have already completed four and a half years as member of UPSC and now only one year is left as the chairman,” said Syiemlieh, who will assume charge on January 4, 2017, and function till his retirement on January 21, 2018.
Though it is a short period, Syiemlieh hoped that the UPSC as a fine institution will continue to grow in the years to come.