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DIMAPUR — The All Nagaland College Students' Union (ANCSU) has opposed the Department of Higher Education’s decision to reassign its director as officer on special duty (OSD) “without any justifiable reason.”
In a letter to the Minister of Higher Education, Temjen Imna Along, the union stated that the move has caused considerable distress among students and faculty alike.
“It also risks diminishing morale within the teaching community, particularly among those who aspire to lead the department in the near future,” it stated.
According to ANCSU, the decision to appoint an NCS cadre officer instead of a qualified academic leader with a Ph.D degree, APIs based PBAS and other credentials aligned conditions laid down UGC norms, jeopardises not only the integrity of the department but also the future of thousands of students across the state.
“This comes at a critical juncture as Nagaland is in the process of fully implementing the New Education Policy 2020, a transition that demands experienced and academically qualified leadership.
“In light of these concerns, we respectfully urge the state government to refrain from treating the position of Director, Higher Education, as a political appointment. Instead, we advocate for the appointment of a candidate who meets the UGC’s stringent academic and professional criteria, ensuring that our educational institutions are led by individuals who are best equipped to guide this vital sector”, the letter read.
Accordingly, the union appealed to the minister to reconsider the decision in accordance with the service rules and established norms.