Shillong, Sept. 28: A full-fledged vice-chancellor has finally assumed office in the North Eastern Hill University (Nehu).

Prof. S.K. Srivastava took over as the vice-chancellor of the central university on Thursday.

The university has been without a full-fledged vice-chancellor for more than twoyears since Prof. A.N. Rai was appointed director of the National Assessment and Accreditation Council in 2013.

Ever since Rai demitted office, Prof. P. Shukla looked after the office of the vice-chancellor.

A professor with specialisation in physical chemistry and research areas on nano-material and surfactants, Srivastava holds a doctorate from IIT Kanpur.

A recipient of Commonwealth Academic Staff Fellowship, Srivastava served in Manipur University until his appointment as Nehu vice-chancellor.

He joined the department of chemistry of Manipur University in 1983 and has been serving there as a professor since 1995. He was head of the department (chemistry) in the university for two terms (1999-2001 and 2003-2005).

Srivastava was also awarded the Chemical Research Society of India (CRSI) Bronze Medal, 2015, in recognition of his contribution to research in chemistry.

He was a member of the first academic council of Jharkhand University and Bihar University. He has also been associated with the working group on nanotechnology of Jharkhand University and with the UGC Expert Committee.

Today, Srivastava met Meghalaya governor V. Shanmuganathan, who is also the chief rector of Nehu, at the Raj Bhavan here.