Shillong, August 11: The Chief Minister, Dr Mukul M Sangma, today laid the base for Shillong Government College of Engineering funded under R.U.S.A at Shillong Polytechnic Campus, Mawlai in the presence of Minister, Education etc, Minister, PWD (Building), Dr M Ampareen Lyngdoh and MLA, Mawlai, Embhah Syiemlieh.
Speaking to the gathering during his Inaugural Speech, Chief Minister, Dr Mukul M Sangma while expressing his happiness in laying the Foundation Stone of the first Engineering College in the state said that everyone besides the student community is connected with the dreams and aspirations of having a college of Engineering in the state. He said that the government has always endeavored to connect with the dreams and aspirations of people of all walks of life and the government has initiated a number of initiatives to respond to the needs of the people the Engineering College being one of them.
The Chief Minister also said that the establishment of the college in the state will prevent flight of capital and the youth will not need to go outside the state in pursuit of higher professional education. “Education can be a game changer and bring huge transformative changes and Shillong Government College of Engineering will bring a turnaround in Educational sector”, he said. He also informed that the college will provide space for all Diploma students to have lateral entry into the college of Engineering.
Dr Sangma also said that engineering institutions today are not merely centers of knowledge and learning but are also centers of excellence. He said that with NEHU, NIT, IIM and various other premiere institutes in the state Meghalaya is becoming a hub of educational pursuit. He added that these institutions not only provide access to quality professional courses but also attract students from other places to come and study in Meghalaya.He urged the officers of various line departments to work round the clock so that the project is completed in a maximum of 18 months and to start the courses from the next academic session.
Also present during the occasion was Minister, PWD (Building) etc. Dr M Ampareen Lyngdoh. The Minister expressed her happiness that students in Shillong Polytechnic get selected into various technical courses on their own merit with no interference from any quarters into the admission process. She added that the professional way in which admissions have been adhered to in the past continue to be an inspiration to other institutions.She also congratulated Shillong Polytechnic for the commendable efforts put in to ensure that Shillong has technocrats of that cadre that can contribute tremendously to so many aspects of technology.
She also said that future students aspiring in technical education in the lines of Engineering will not be delighted to have such opportunity in their own state. She hoped that the transition from a Polytechnic to an Engineering College will be smooth, healthy and fulfilling. The Minister also said that the infrastructure of the Engineering College should be world class without compromising on the quality of work. She urged the aspiring engineering students to work hard to realize their goals.
Earlier, in his Welcome Address, Principal, Shillong Government of College of Engineering & Shillong Polytechnic, W L Warjri informed that the college will offer courses in three branches, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. He added that the students can pursue engineering courses in these three courses at affordable cost and will be available for all meritorious students.
The college is funded under Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA). RUSA or the National Higher Education Mission is centrally sponsored, spearheaded by the Ministry of Human Resource Development with the collaboration of the state government. The foremost aim of the mission is to develop the higher education in the country by ensuring access, equity and quality. The allocation of fund is norms, monitoring and performance driven.
Among others who spoke were Minister, Education etc Roshan Warjri and MLA, Mawlai, Embhah Syiemlieh. Also present were Minister, School Education & Literacy etc. Deborah C Marak, Commissioner & Secretary, Education etc D P Wahlang and Director, Higher & Technical Education, Ram Singh.
