Shillong, February 5: Prof. Sumarbin Umdor has resumed charge as Pro-Vice Chancellor of the Shillong main campus of North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), following a formal request by the Meghalaya government to address the prolonged administrative vacuum at the central university.
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| Prof. Sumarbin Umdor |
Prof Umdor, who had resigned from the post on December 15, 2025, rejoined duty on January 23, 2026, after discussions with Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui. His return comes amid a near standstill in university administration caused by the continued absence of Vice-Chancellor Prabha Shankar Shukla.
Speaking to the press on Wednesday, Prof Umdor said he had first taken charge as Pro-VC in June 2025 when the Vice-Chancellor was not stationed at the university. “I was directed to manage the affairs of the university in the absence of the VC. Along with the deans, I tried my best within my limited authority,” he said.
However, he pointed out that the lack of clarity on the powers of the Pro-VC severely hampered functioning. “The Vice-Chancellor holds overall authority. Without proper empowerment, managing the university became extremely difficult. This kind of prolonged absence of a VC is unprecedented,” he said, adding that although efforts were made to resolve issues such as staff promotions, final approvals required meetings of the Executive Council, which could not be convened.
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Prof Umdor said the leadership vacuum led to delays in declaration of PhD, postgraduate and undergraduate results, besides leaving several staff-related matters unresolved. “For months, there was effectively no one heading the university,” he noted.
He said he agreed to resume charge after repeated appeals from the Chief Minister and Education Minister. “I am a local person and most students are from this region. My conscience does not permit me to watch my own students suffer,” he said, stressing that NEHU belongs to the people of the state and should not be allowed to deteriorate due to administrative uncertainty.
Prof Umdor also expressed concern that the Vice-Chancellor still has about six months remaining in his term, warning that any extension without resolving the leadership issue could further complicate matters. He recalled that he had earlier stepped down after failing to get clarity on his role and authority, despite expectations among stakeholders that the VC would be removed.
Education Minister Rymbui had earlier publicly appealed to Prof Umdor to resume his duties, pointing out that his resignation letter had not been accepted. The appeal followed meetings between the Chief Minister, Education Minister and a delegation comprising student and staff bodies, including NEHUSU, KSU (Unit), NEHUNSA and NEHUTA, who sought state intervention due to the prolonged crisis.
Rymbui has confirmed that the Meghalaya government has taken up the issue with the Union Ministry of Education, under which NEHU functions as a central university, to resolve the impasse at the earliest.
Prof Umdor, who has served at NEHU for over two decades, said he was also urged by officials of the Education Ministry during a meeting in New Delhi on January 19 to resume his role. He noted that NEHU has around 50 departments and programmes, nearly 5,000 students on its campuses, and close to 70,000 students enrolled in affiliated colleges.
Calling this year crucial due to the rollout phase of the four-year undergraduate programme, Prof Umdor warned that continued instability could have long-term consequences. He said the crisis had already led to a significant reduction in the university’s recurring grants and eroded student confidence.
“A central university is a blessing for students from poor and marginalised backgrounds. All stakeholders must come together to restore NEHU’s past glory,” he added.
