Shillong, Aug 13: The state has completed the process for allotting around 40 medical seats at the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) for local students, Health Principal Secretary Sampath Kumar confirmed on Tuesday.
According to Kumar, the Director of Health Services handled the screening and counselling process, and “students will soon be informed about their allotments.”
On the government’s proposed interest-free loan to USTM, he said the matter is still under examination. “USTM has been making substantial investments in the state by setting up large-scale infrastructure for a medical college and hospital, while also offering low-cost services to people from Meghalaya. The matter is being handled by another department,” Kumar explained.
Updating on the Shillong Medical College, Kumar said the Chief Minister has already met the Union Health Minister to secure the necessary clearances, following an inspection by the National Medical Commission (NMC). He noted that while the college’s infrastructure is adequate, there is a shortage of senior faculty. “Medical officers pursuing postgraduate studies must complete senior residency before becoming faculty members, a process that could take 10 to 15 years to build the state’s own pool of medical educators,” he pointed out.
Kumar added that most assistant professor posts have been filled by candidates from within Meghalaya, but professor-level positions remain vacant.
For the current capacity of 50 seats, “about 90 per cent of the required faculty is already in place,” he said, adding that efforts are underway to fill the remaining posts. Kumar expressed confidence that “the institution will move forward with admissions this year itself.”
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