Degree for Lapang

SHILLONG, JUNE 10: Adding another feather to his cap, former chief minister Donwa Dethwelson Lapang was today conferred honorary degree of doctor of letters (Hon. D.Litt) by the University of Science & Technology, Meghalaya.

The degree, which was in recognition of his contribution in the field of political administration, policy formulation & social reforms, was handed over to Lapang at the 2^nd Convocation of the University held at its Techno City Campus, Ri Bhoi.

The 84-year-old veteran politician, who is a sitting legislator of Nongpoh Assembly constituency, is presently the Chief Adviser to the Meghalaya government and also heading the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC).

In his 45 years of political career, Lapang had served the state as the chief minister for five times.

On the occasion, the USTM also awarded former vice-chancellor of Tezpur University, Assam Prof Mihir Kanti Chaudhuri with honorary degree of doctor of science (Hon. D.Sc).

The private university has recognized Prof Chaudhuri’s outstanding contribution in the field of academic administration, promotion of science & technology and elevating Tezpur University to greater heights.

Both the degrees were conferred in the presence of three vice-chancellors of the oldest universities of India.

These include – Prof Girish Chandra Tripathi, VC of Banaras Hindu University, Prof Ashotosh Ghosh, VC of University of Calcutta and Prof Sanjay V Deshmukh, VC of University of Mumbai.

In his remarks, Lapang expressed his gratitude to the university for conferring him the honorary degree.

“I am honoured, and I feel it is an encouragement for my small remaining life. I am 84 now, and I hope I will be able to utilise the degree given to me in my remaining years,” he said.

Stating that he never dreamt that the university can create wonders, Lapang said not only from Meghalaya but students from across the North East region are getting the opportunity to study in the university.

It may be mentioned here, he was conferred with the Doctorate of Divinity twice.

The first being by the International Council of Higher Education, Bangalore on January 7,2004 and later by the Serampore College, West Bengal on February 11, 2006.

Lapang was also conferred with the Doctorate degree in Philosophy by the Sam Higginbotton Institute of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences University, Allahabad on April 9, 2009.

Meanwhile, Prof Chaudhuri in his remarks emphasized on the need for educational institutes to empower the youth with various skills as gone are the days that education is for white collar job alone.

“The need of the hour is for education to be oriented as to how to give students the skills so that they can also provide jobs to others. If we cannot do this, then we are heading for a serious problem,” he said.

Stating that the private players are coming forward in the field of education as government alone cannot do it, Prof Chaudhuri however said educational institutes must review the standards carefully.

“Higher education is at its crossroads and we have to find a way how to cross the road,” he added.

Nearly 600 students were conferred with degrees during the convocation. These include 518 post-graduate, 61 – under graduate and 4 – Ph.D. The USTM has around 3500 students from all over NE region.