Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma on Tuesday said that the Government has plans to set up a Shillong Campus of the Captain Williamson Sangma State University.
A delegation of the Hynneiwtrep Youths’ Council (HYC) called on the Education Minister on Tuesday and submitted a six point memorandum, which included the demand for a Shillong campus.
On the HYC’s demand for a new State University in Shillong, the Minister said that the Government’s focus is presently on starting the Captain Williamson Sangma State University.
“They have talked about setting up of the Regional campus that means Shillong campus of Captain Williamson Sangma State University, which is already in pipeline. The state Government has already decided that we will be having the Shillong campus,” Sangma said.
He further informed that it is important for the state Government to first start the state university.
“Captain Williamson Sangma State University will start its academic session from 2024, we are in the process for recruitment of a new Vice Chancellor and the Pro Vice Chancellor and other staff,” the Minister added.
Earlier, HYC general secretary, Roy Kupar Synrem said “In the backdrop of the controversy regarding the implementation of the NEP-2020 and the problems faced by the Students of the State in getting the opportunity to pursue their higher studies in NEHU due to limited number of seats and with CUET being implemented for admission to NEHU, it has become an urgent need for the State Government to take necessary steps to established its own State University in the State Capital of Shillong.”
The organisation stated that this is for the betterment of the students and youths of the State. This will also create opportunities for employment for the people of the State.
“We are aware that the Meghalaya Government has recently inaugurated the Captain Williamson Sangma State University in Garo Hills and we would like to impress upon the Government to take immediate steps for making it operational and in order to bring its administration closer to the people, the Regional Campus/office under the headship of Pro-Vice Chancellor and a full-fledged Registrar need to be set up in Khasi-Jaintia Hills region,” the Memorandum stated.
Meanwhile, responding to the demand of HYC regarding the demand of establishing CUET Centres in the State, the Education Minister ensured that for the next academic year CUET centres will not be the issue as the state will have four centres.
“Already three centres we have- NEHU Shillong, NEHU Tura and another in Shillong and most likely we will be getting another centre in Jowai,” Rakkam said.