The North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) was set up with aspirations that it would lift the higher education scenario of the region and bring the students here at par with their counterparts from the best universities in the country. But this dream is belied. From the number of complaint letters that come to newspapers offices over email, the students are obviously at the receiving end. From delayed announcement of results to delay in publishing the merit list, to poor hostel facilities for research scholars, there seems to be no end to the students’ woes. Delayed results deprive students from seeking admissions to other universities of their choice. This is a great disincentive for those who wish to pursue professional courses not offered by NEHU. And this story is repeated year after year despite incessant complaints from students and their parents/guardians.
Students expect a lot from this central university which carries the tag of –University with the Potential for Excellence. But over the years NEHU has just degenerated into another varsity where the faculty only care about their own welfare at the cost of the students’ well-being.
So why are the NEHU results invariably delayed? Discreet enquiries have revealed that most teachers are unwilling to correct the answer scripts either because of poor remuneration or some other personal reasons. College and university teachers forget that one of the clauses of their appointment by the University Grants Commission is that they have to evaluate the answer scripts of students and they must do it within a stipulated time line. Failure to do so attracts a penalty and teachers cannot refuse to evaluate the answer scripts unless there are genuine reasons like illness etc.
In terms of students’ welfare, within the University too, there is a lot of heartburn at the failure of delivery of basic services. The hostels are poorly maintained. Water supply and internet connectivity are not available most of the times, leaving the students exasperated. Since research work requires much research over the internet, not having wifi connectivity can be distressing.
When will the NEHU authorities wake up from their slumber?