Ever since its establishment more than a decade ago, Nagaland University (NU) is yet to achieve the potential with which it started—to be a role model university with a difference. Protests and controversies not education and learning, have been the hallmark of the NU. Instead of building the institution most of the time has been wasted in allegations, counter allegations and the demand for removal of not just one but three past Vice Chancellors. As such, NU has remained under a cloud, being grappled with teething problems since its inception in 1994. Merely to oust the VC or appoint another one may provide temporary relief but the deeper malaise within NU if it is not diagnosed and cured will rob the Nagas of quality in higher education. This will be the biggest challenge for the newly appointed Vice Chancellor Prof. Bolin Kumar Konwar. One can well sympathize with the new VC given that all has not been well with the NU. Unlike a routine takeover from his predecessor Prof K. Kannan, the newly appointed VC has had to first do a lot of non academic exercises given the prevailing tension and controversy within the NU setup. Prof Konwar has in the last two months or so met a cross section of people since assuming charge as the VC. This column appreciates the initiative he has taken to reach out to the Naga people—to introduce himself, share ideas and suggestions and seek guidance. In fact Prof Konwar has virtually moved out of the comfort of his Lumami office and travelled the distance to meet and interact with people and to get their goodwill and support. It has indeed been a humbling experience to meet the new VC whose simplicity, humility and openness to listen to others point of view is indeed a quality that will serve not just the VC but also the university and the people.
Prof Konwar is aware about the problems dogging the university and he has made the right start by quietly going about and listening to the grievances and also putting a healing touch to some of the past hurt. A few days ago as reported in the local dailies, the Post Graduate Students Union, Nagaland University (PGSU), Lumami apologized to the chief medical officer Nagaland University, medical fraternity and the Naga public in general for vandalizing the University Health center at Nagaland University Lumami during March-2011. Apparently the students responded positively to the new VC’s mediation to resolve the problem. These are all good signs for the NU. It is likewise suggested that all other genuine grievances, issues and concerns whether with the teachers, students, non-teaching staff, landowners etc. are looked into by the VC and a closure is put on these distractions so that the university can be free of the old problems and get on with the task of making NU into an institution and hub of learning and quality education.
Without the support and cooperation of everyone concerned including the State government and the Naga public, the new VC will not be able to fulfill his responsibility, no matter his academic qualification or human qualities. Prof Konwar who is an Ahom comes from a similar socio-cultural background like the majority of us here in Nagaland. In fact it is quite surprising that it is only now that the government of India could appoint someone from the region to head the NU. Indeed much time and opportunity has been lost and everyone must put their heads and hearts together in rebuilding NU. The task of the VC is only to coordinate and help in the day to day affairs of running the university. The real stakeholders are the people especially the students, teachers and the larger community. We need to support the new VC as he begins the task of rebuilding Nagaland University.
Prof Konwar is aware about the problems dogging the university and he has made the right start by quietly going about and listening to the grievances and also putting a healing touch to some of the past hurt. A few days ago as reported in the local dailies, the Post Graduate Students Union, Nagaland University (PGSU), Lumami apologized to the chief medical officer Nagaland University, medical fraternity and the Naga public in general for vandalizing the University Health center at Nagaland University Lumami during March-2011. Apparently the students responded positively to the new VC’s mediation to resolve the problem. These are all good signs for the NU. It is likewise suggested that all other genuine grievances, issues and concerns whether with the teachers, students, non-teaching staff, landowners etc. are looked into by the VC and a closure is put on these distractions so that the university can be free of the old problems and get on with the task of making NU into an institution and hub of learning and quality education.
Without the support and cooperation of everyone concerned including the State government and the Naga public, the new VC will not be able to fulfill his responsibility, no matter his academic qualification or human qualities. Prof Konwar who is an Ahom comes from a similar socio-cultural background like the majority of us here in Nagaland. In fact it is quite surprising that it is only now that the government of India could appoint someone from the region to head the NU. Indeed much time and opportunity has been lost and everyone must put their heads and hearts together in rebuilding NU. The task of the VC is only to coordinate and help in the day to day affairs of running the university. The real stakeholders are the people especially the students, teachers and the larger community. We need to support the new VC as he begins the task of rebuilding Nagaland University.
