From Our Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI, May 25: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Monday met Dharmendra Pradhan here and demanded for early appointment of a Vice Chancellor for North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU).
In a letter submitted to the Union Education Minister, Sangma expressed gratitude for initiating the process to appoint a VC for NEHU. The post is lying vacant for a long time with the incumbent VC, whose term is expiring, operating from the NEHU guest house in Guwahati for security reasons.
“The move had brought much-needed reassurance” and had been welcomed by the university community. It is important that this momentum is now carried forward with both urgency and thoughtful care,” the CM said, urging that the selection process be completed without undue delay.
He stressed the need for appointing a candidate with strong academic and administrative credentials capable of steering the university through its current challenges.
Sangma also sought the Centre’s intervention for the implementation of five projects sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) for NEHU’s Tura campus. The Chief Minister said the projects were critical for strengthening higher education infrastructure in the Garo Hills region and meeting the aspirations of students and local communities.
An amount of Rs 35 crore has already been released by the Ministry of Minority Affairs for infrastructure development. The Ministry of Minority Affairs had earlier suggested the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) as the implementing agency during a review meeting held in October 2025.
Sangma further briefed Pradhan on the development of Captain Williamson Sangma State University (CWSSU), being developed as a greenfield university model. It is the first state-run public university in Meghalaya.
