The Captain Williamson Sangma State University, Meghalaya’s first and only state university, has received recognition from the University Grants Commission (UGC).
In an official letter, Dr. Amol M. Andhare, Deputy Secretary to the Ministry of Education, informed the university’s Registrar: “The Captain Williamson Sangma State University has been established by the Government of Meghalaya as a State Public University through Captain Williamson Sangma Technical University (Amendment) Act, 2003 (Meghalaya Act No. 12 of 2023) by amending Captain Williamson Sangma Technical University Act, 2011 (Meghalaya Act No. 17 of 2011). The Meghalaya Act No. 12 of 2023 has come into force with effect from 19.10.2023 vide notification No. EDN.16/2015/Pt/107 dated 28.10.2024.”
The letter further stated, “Accordingly, the name of the University has been included in the list of Universities established as per Section 2(f) of UGC Act, 1956.”
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma celebrated the achievement on social media, stating: “Congratulations to the people of Meghalaya! The University Grants Commission has granted recognition to Captain Williamson Sangma State University, marking the official commencement of the state’s first university. We look forward to its success in advancing the education and future of our youth.”
The UGC has outlined specific operational guidelines for the university. It emphasized that the university is empowered to award degrees as specified under Section 22 of the UGC Act, 1956, but must conduct courses only through its departments, constituent colleges, or affiliated colleges in regular mode.
The letter added, “Prior approvals for running professional, technical, and medical programmes shall be obtained from the respective Regulatory Councils/Commissions. Such programmes are governed by the norms of respective Regulatory Councils/Commissions, and the approval of the concerned Council/Commission is mandatory.”
The university must adhere to the UGC Notification on Specification of Degrees, 2014, and its amendments. “The approved nomenclature may be followed by the specific area of specialization to be reflected in the parentheses,” the letter stated. The notification, including details of degree nomenclature, is available on the UGC website.
The UGC also specified that the university must operate strictly within its territorial jurisdiction as defined in its Act. “The University shall operate only within the territorial jurisdiction allotted to it under its Act and in no case beyond the territory of the State of its location,” the letter highlighted, citing the Supreme Court judgment in Prof. Yash Pal vs. State of Chhattisgarh.
Furthermore, the university is prohibited from offering Open and Distance Learning (ODL) or online programs without prior approval from the UGC. The relevant UGC regulations for such programs are also available on the commission’s website.
This recognition marks a historic milestone for Meghalaya, positioning the university to contribute significantly to the state’s educational advancement.