Meghalaya NGOs want consistent power failure addressed
The joint action committee (JAC) of three NGOs from Ri-bhoi district which includes Meghalaya People’s Social Organization (MPSO), ka Ri-bhoi Youth Organization (RBYO) and the Meghalaya People’s United Front (MPUF) today met minister in-charge of power A. T Mondal to seek his intervention with regard to alleged consistent power failure in Ri-bhoi district.
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Speaking to media persons, Jackson Sohtun informed that the frequent power cuts in Ri-bhoi district has created a lot of inconvenience to the people of the region, especially to the students who are preparing their respective examination.
Sohtun alleged that the district is experiencing unscheduled timing of power cuts and this has caught the public unaware as there are no notifications from the power department with regard to the timing of loading or power cuts.
“We have met the minister in-charge of power to appraise him with regard to the frequent and unscheduled timing of power cuts which has created a lot of inconvenience to the people of the district,” said Sohtun.
He added that the JAC has urged the minister to look into the matter and to ask the department to come out with some kind of notice on the timing of load shedding for Ri-bhoi district.
Guv’s nod awaited for setting up of Captain Williamson Sangma State University
Minister-in-charge of Education Rakkam A Sangma has informed that the government is waiting for the Governor to give his assent to the Captain Williamson Sangma Technical University (Amendment) Bill, 2023 passed by the State Assembly recently for setting up of a State University.
“We have just passed the Act in the Assembly and once the Governor gives his assent, we will work out the modalities on how to go ahead and to start the State University at the earliest possible,” Sangma told reporters here.
He said that having a state university after 50 years of statehood is a milestone for the government.
The Captain Williamson Sangma State University (Amendment) Act, 2023 proposes to amend the Captain Williamson Sangma Technical University Act.
The objective of the Act is to have State Universities catering to both higher and technical education offering higher education in the fields of humanities, general sciences, engineering, physical sciences, life sciences, commerce, performing arts, professional courses, technology and related areas.
It will also provide scope for research, advancement and dissemination of knowledge therein.
The minister said the problem related to the CUET will be resolved to a great extent once all colleges are affiliated to the State University.
“Not only about the CUET issue, it is for better education facilities for our students. Due to certain limitations, we have to ask for an exemption and we cannot ask for an exemption again and again. Therefore, we have to find a way forward and a better solution for our students,” Sangma added.
IGNOU setting benchmarks for Open Distance Learning: Guv
Staff Reporter
Shillong, April 4: The Governor of Meghalaya, Phagu Chauhan today graced the 36th Convocation of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) at IGNOU Regional Center Shillong, NEHU Campus. The Convocation was part of the main function conducted at IGNOU Headquarters at New Delhi and also simultaneously in all 33 Regional Centers across the country.
Delivering the Convocation Address, the Governor lauded the Indira Gandhi National Open University for taking the national responsibility of promoting and setting benchmarks for Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and online education (OL) in Meghalasystems in India and the world. “IGNOU, which is known to be the World’s largest open University with above 3 million enrolments of students in different IGNOU programmes, has made significant contributions to democratizing Higher Education in the country by providing access to a large number of aspirants through the Open & Distance mode and through online mode,” he added.
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Stressing on the need for shifting from the conventional degree to Skill Development, Employability, Entrepreneurship and Community Development programs, the Governor reiterated the importance for every University in India to make its academic programmes more futuristic and need-oriented. “The NEP puts a greater emphasis on restructuring academic programmes to make them multidisciplinary and holistic. Academic programmes should focus not only on the creation of new knowledge but also to acquire skills required for the job market”, he said.
The Governor further stated that to fulfill India’s mission and goal set by NEP 2020, there is a need of the hour to make a collaborative framework between Central and State government institutes to identify skill-based bridge courses in the emerging area of professional/vocational programmes.
Established in April 1988, IGNOU Regional Centre Shillong at present has 21 Learner Support Services covering 10 districts of Meghalaya. This year 1319 learners are being conferred Degrees/ Diplomas/ certificates for this 36th Convocation under the Shillong Regional Centre.