Shillong, August 19: The Martin Luther Christian University organised a consultation on the setting up of the University’s Centre for Tribal Studies and Social Action on the 19th August 2019.
The consultation comprised of eminent academic and government personalities, some of them being Dr. Melvil Pereira, Director, North Eastern Social Resaerch Centre, Guwahati, Prof. Don Syiem, Dept. Of Biochemistry, NEHU, Dr. George Matthew, Ex-Principal, CMC, Vellore, Patricia Mukhim, Editor, The Shillong Times, Dr. Samantha Syiem, Dept of International Development, U of Sussex, UK, Edmund Sangma, Former MDC, GHADC.
The main points that were deliberated on in the consultation were the articulation of an action plan for the establishment and functioning of the said Centre, development of directions and content for teaching, research and community engagement in tribal studies.
Identification of places, organisations and contact persons for student internships, study tours and faculty development. It also included a discussion on the establishment of a project entitled “Poorest of the Poor”, an initiative of the Centre, the primary focus of which is to reach out to those who are in abject poverty. There were also discussions on obtaining ideas and agencies for funding.
All these deliberations centered on cultural practices and beliefs, education, tribal health, mental health, food systems, women, children, governance and land systems.
