Meghalaya has been blessed with Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) 1.0 and 2.0 funding, which has been like manna from heaven in terms of developing higher education infrastructure.
Speaking at a function here today to mark the start of Sankardev College’s diamond jubilee celebrations, Additional Secretary DP Wahlang recalled that four years ago, when he took over as state project director of RUSA, one of the basic challenges was poor infrastructure because of a lack of resources.
“Many colleges are facing additional problems for additional infrastructure to cater to the needs of more students entering higher secondary and the RUSA funding has helped a lot and I hope that the next cycle of RUSA 3.0 will further improve because better rating means more funding,” Wahlang said in his address as guest of honour.
Stressing on the importance of research and innovation, he said, “When it comes to RUSA funding we are very quick in spending the infrastructure grants and spend the equity initiatives that we have sanctioned, but when it comes to research and innovation there are no takers and no college in Shillong is using the funds.”
He suggested the Sankardev College think out of the box about the research and innovation and utilize the grants that are available under RUSA to further improve the college.
He praised the college faculty who have actively made use of technology during the Covid-19 pandemic by organising many webinars, online classes, etc, and expressed hope that the college also forms good tie-ups with technology giants like Google. He also stressed on the importance of enterprise education by training students to become entrepreneurs as government jobs are very difficult to get.
Peaking more about the pandemic and education, he added “Students are adversely affected because of a lack of social interaction and they spend most of the time online with their laptops, mobiles, etc inside their houses and they have lost their socials skills and the good mentoring system to guide and counsel them will help a lot.”
Sankardev College was established on September 2, 1962, and affiliated to Gauhati University. It was initially instituted as an evening college, but within a year of its inception, following an increase in the enrolment of students, a day shift was introduced. In 1972, with the creation of Meghalaya as a separate state and with the establishment of a central university, the college shifted affiliation to North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU). The college currently has around 1,100 students and 70 faculty spread between 20 departments. In 2016 it was reaccredited with the National Assessment and Accreditation Council in Bangalore and given a B grade.
“We firmly believe that, as an institution, there are always opportunities to reinvent and reassess ourselves, to work on our weaknesses, build on our strengths, and to significantly help contribute to the growth of this nation through the noble profession of educating its young minds,” college principal Eureka FP Lyngdoh said.
