Shillong, Jan. 2: Eminent historian and professor David R. Syiemlieh was today appointed the new chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), making him the second person from Meghalaya, after Rose Millian Bathew, to hold the coveted post.

A communiqué announced that President Pranab Mukherjee has appointed Syiemlieh, a member of the UPSC, to perform the duties of the post of chairman from Wednesday till further orders or till the completion of his term as member on January 21, 2018, whichever is earlier.

Bathew was the first from Meghalaya to hold the post of UPSC chairperson. She was also the first woman to chair the commission from 1992 until 1996.

Syiemlieh joined as a member of the UPSC on June 25, 2012.

He will succeed former IAS officer Alka Sirohi as chairman.

An alumnus of St Edmund's College, Shillong, Syiemlieh joined the history department of North Eastern Hill University (Nehu) in 1979.

He became professor of history and held various positions in the university, including the offices of dean of students' welfare, proctor, director, College Development Council, and head of department of history.

He was also the controller of examinations, Nehu, and officiated as registrar of the university. Syiemlieh was pro vice-chancellor of the central university from 2010-2011.

In September 2011, he was appointed vice-chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar.

Syiemlieh was also actively engaged in historical research and has published a number of books and papers on the history of the Northeast.

His recent publications are On the Edge of Empire: Four British Plans for North East India and Layers of History: Essays on the Khasi-Jaintias.

Moreover, he was also president of the North East India History Association, that specialises in the history of the region, from 2010-2011.

He served as the honorary director of the Indian Council of Social Science Research-North Eastern Regional Centre, Shillong, and was council member for two terms of the Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi.

He was also council member of the Indian Council of Social Science Research, New Delhi.

Exuding happiness over the appointment of Syiemlieh as UPSC chairman, the Khasi Students' Union said it was a matter of pride that a member of the Khasi community has been appointed to head the coveted body. It expressed the hope that Syiemlieh would continue to be a role model for youths.