Lumami, September 17 (MExN): In quite a different show, crisis-ridden Nagaland University saw a welcome ‘amicable settlement’ of a “misunderstanding” between the Nagaland University Research Scholars’ Forum and the university after a meeting between the two sides today. Amicable as it was, nonetheless the demands of the scholars were reportedly met after three years and more than a dozen representations.
The research scholars were demanding that the Dean’s committee selection criteria for the award of UGC fellowship scheme approved through the Academic Council Resolution should be immediately revoked. However, Vice Chancellor Prof. K Kannan had refused and rather, asked the research scholars to use the word “review” which can be done in the next academic council of the university.
The scholars agreed to it. They were also demanding that “all the applied eligible candidates including those who have submitted his/her thesis should be awarded the fellowship thereafter and release the fellowship with effect from the date of implementation of the scheme i.e. February 2007 in the university or their date and year of registration whichever is later”. Besides, they demanded that the advertisement of the fellowship “should be every academic year” and implemented effectively.
The vice chancellor and the university’s head of departments agreed to meet the demands of the NURSF. A written agreement signed by ten heads of departments present at the meeting and two NURSF representatives was also made available to the media.
Meanwhile, unlike the recent PGSU (L) agitation at Lumami, today’s NURSF agitation, which was attended by research scholars from all the three NU campuses – Lumami, Kohima and Medziphema – was very peaceful and the meeting was also held in a very congenial atmosphere.
Prof K Kannan also appreciated the “behavior” of the research scholars and said that the scholars have showed ‘maturity’ in solving the problem. “It will be done,” said the VC to the research scholars.
Still, the VC expressed regret that the research scholars were not using the facilities at the Lumami campus. “I want the lights to burn till 4 pm etc,” he said. He lamented that the research scholars go home by 2 pm in the evening. He also said that the university has set internet connections in the campus, and so the research scholars should not make excuses that they have to do their work in Mokokchung “because there is not internet.”
“It is a culture you have to cultivate…you have to show interest here,” said Kannan to the research scholars’ representatives, “If you don’t use it (the facilities at the Lumami campus), I think it is a criminal case.”
The research scholars on their part asked for a separate hostel and more up-to-date books in the library. Nonetheless, it is learned that their demands were met only after a lapse of three years and only after the submission of sixteen representations to the VC at different times.
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