SHILLONG, MAR 26: Meghalaya Governor CH Vijayashankar on Wednesday chaired a meeting with officials from various educational institutions in Shillong to revitalize the educational status.
The meeting was attended by officials from NEHU, Captain Williamson Sangma State University, National Law University, NIT, NIFT, IIM, MLCU, ICFAI, and other Government and private colleges.
HC Chaudhary, IFS, Principal Secretary to the Hon’ble Governor made a detailed presentation pertaining to the actionable recommendations pertaining to Universities and Institutes of Higher Education that emerged during the Conference of Governors held on 2nd – 3rd August 2024 at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The meeting held under the chairmanship of the Hon’ble Governor witnessed detailed deliberations on a wide range of actionable recommendations aimed at strengthening the higher education ecosystem. Discussions focused on improving accreditation and assessment mechanisms. It emphasized on achieving higher standards through frameworks such as NAAC, alongside ensuring transparency and timeliness in appointments within universities. The Participants also reviewed the importance of addressing faculty shortages by maintaining updated data on sanctioned and vacant posts and expediting recruitment processes to enhance academic delivery.
The officials further deliberated on the effective implementation of the National Education Policy in curriculum reforms, integration of contemporary legal frameworks, and fostering critical thinking through examination reforms. The need for strengthening industry-academia linkages was also highlighted, with emphasis on promoting internships, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training through collaborations with public sector undertakings and government departments. Additionally, discussions were held on expanding international collaborations with institutions in Southeast Asia, Africa, and Gulf countries to bring global exposure to students and faculty.
Key issues relating to student welfare and campus development were also discussed, including measures to tackle drug abuse among youth through awareness and counselling initiatives. The overall discussion underscored a holistic approach towards improving the quality, relevance, and inclusiveness of higher education institutions in the State.
During the interaction, the Governor reviewed the current status of implementation and encouraged institutions to adopt a proactive and coordinated approach in translating these recommendations into tangible outcomes. He stressed the importance of collaboration among universities, faculty members, and administrative bodies to ensure effective execution.
In his concluding remarks, the Governor highlighted three key priority areas for immediate attention. He emphasized the need to enhance academic excellence through quality education. He urged institutions to focus on innovation in teaching methodologies, strengthening research ecosystems, and ensuring outcome-based learning for students.
Expressing concern over the growing threat of substance abuse among youth, the Governor urged institutions to take decisive and sustained measures, including awareness campaigns, counselling support, and strict monitoring mechanisms to create drug-free campuses.
The Governor also called upon all institutions to undertake tree plantation drives within available campus spaces, fostering environmental consciousness and contributing to a greener and sustainable future.
The Governor reiterated that educational institutions play a pivotal role in nation-building and must strive to create not only academically proficient but also socially responsible and environmentally conscious citizens.
Officials present in the meeting assured their commitment to implementing the recommendations in a time-bound and effective manner.
By Our Reporter
