Shillong, Mar 26: Governor Chandrashekhar H Vijayashankar today 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.
Principal Secretary to the Governor HC Chaudhary made a detailed presentation pertaining to the actionable recommendations pertaining to universities and institutes of higher education that emerged during a conference of governors held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on August 2 and 3, 2024.
Key areas of discussion included enhancing accreditation mechanisms and ensuring timely appointments within universities, which are essential for bolstering the higher education ecosystem.
The officials further deliberated on the effective implementation of the National Education Policy, strengthening industry-academia linkages, 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.
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.
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.
He further 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.
