Shillong, Dec 6: The Captain Williamson Sangma State University on Friday received recognition from the University Grants Commission (UGC). The university is Meghalaya’s first and only state university.

A letter issued by the Deputy Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Dr Amol M Andhare, to the Registrar of Captain Williamson Sangma State University said, “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.”

“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 also took to social media to announce the development and congratulated the people of Meghalaya on this achievement. “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,” he wrote.

On the points to be adhered strictly by the university, the letter stated that the University is empowered to award degrees as specified by the UGC under section 22 of the UGC Act 1956 by conducting courses through its own departments, its constituent colleges and/or through its affiliated colleges in regular mode only. However, 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 concerned Council/Commission is mandatory.

It said that the University shall award only such degrees as specified by UGC. The University is required to follow the UGC Notification on Specification of Degrees 2014 and its amendments issued from time to time wherein consolidated list of UGC approved nomenclature of degrees has been specified under Section 22 of the UGC Act, 1956 wherein entry level of each degree and duration of programme have been provided. The approved nomenclature may be followed by the specific area of specialization to be reflected in the parentheses. This notification is available on the UGC website www.ugc.gov.in under the link https://www.ugc.ac.in/pdfnews/1061840_specification-of-degree-july-2014.pdf.

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 University is not allowed to start any off-campus centre beyond the territorial jurisdiction as provided in the Act and under no circumstances beyond the state of its location, as per the Judgment of Supreme Court in the case of Prof Yash Pal vs State of Chhattisgarh.

No Open and Distance Learning programmes and on-line programmes shall be started without the prior and specific approval of UGC. Relevant UGC Regulations are available on the UGC website www.ugc.gov.in

The University must ensure that there is no franchising of higher education even for the purpose of distance education. In case the university has already started any off-campus/study centre and centre operating through franchises outside the state, it must be closed immediately.

The University shall follow University Grants Commission (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of Ph.D Degree) Regulations, 2022 and as amended from time to time.

The University shall immediately appoint an Ombudsperson in accordance with UGC (Redressal of Grievances of Students) Regulations, 2023 for redressal of grievances of students preferably within two months of starting academic activities. The UGC (Redressal of Grievances of Students) Regulations, 2023 is available on the UGC website at link https://www.ugc.gov.in/pdfnews/4675881_Regulation.pdf. The details of Ombudsperson should be displayed on the website of university and sent to UGC also.

The University shall follow UGC guidelines on Public Self Discloser by Higher Education Institutions which are available on the UGC website.

The University shall get necessary accreditation from the NAAC.

The University shall register and upload the information of all students on Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) and National Academic Depository (NAD) portals of Ministry of Education, Govt of India.

The University shall follow all the applicable UGC Regulations, Guidelines notified and available on UGC website.

Meghalaya’s 1st State University’s gets female VC 

Dr Vasanthi Vijayakumar as Vice Chancellor of the varsity.

“The Governor of Meghalaya is pleased to appoint Dr Vasanthi Vijayakumar as the Vice Chancellor of Captain Williamson Sangma State University, Tura with a fixed pay of Rs 2.1 lakh per month with a special allowance of Rs 5,000 per month with effect from the date of taking over charge,” a notification signed by the Joint Secretary of the Education Department said on Wednesday.

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