Shillong, March 27: Flagging a widening gap between job seekers and employment opportunities, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Friday called for a decisive shift towards entrepreneurship, warning that thousands of young people risk being left behind if traditional job pathways remain the focus.
Addressing the closing ceremony of College Week 2026 and the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Synod College Shillong, Sangma pointed out that nearly 60,000 youth enter the workforce every year, while only about 1,000 to 2,000 government jobs are available. “What about the remaining 58,000?” he asked, urging educational institutions to actively promote skills, innovation, and self-employment. The programme was held at the Students’ Field, Jaiaw.
Calling education the “most powerful tool” for transformation, the Chief Minister said the state is making significant investments in human capital, with nearly ₹1,200 crore spent annually to support over 4,500 institutions. He added that around ₹120 crore is allocated each year towards teachers’ salaries under the deficit grant system, with Synod College among the beneficiaries.
At the same time, Sangma struck a note of caution, highlighting rising concerns over drug abuse and HIV among youth. He urged students, institutions, and society to work collectively to address these challenges, describing the state’s young population—nearly 50 per cent of whom are under 20—as both an opportunity and a responsibility.
The Principal, G. Lyngdoh, in her address, highlighted the institution’s journey since its establishment in 1965 with just 43 students offering pre-university Arts education. She noted that the college has grown into a major institution with more than 3,000 students across Higher Secondary, Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Professional programmes, and has successfully undergone four cycles of accreditation by NAAC, securing an A+ grade in the most recent assessment.
Reflecting on this journey, she stated that the achievements were “not with pride, but with a deep sense of gratitude—first and foremost to Almighty God,” while acknowledging the contributions of faculty, staff, students, alumni and management, past and present, in shaping the institution. Quoting Isaac Newton, she remarked, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”
She further emphasised the need to look ahead in an era of rapid transformation, stating that the college remains committed to academic excellence while preparing students for employment and entrepreneurship. She said the college is working to establish an extended campus at Mawpdang in the New Shillong Township, focusing on skill-based and livelihood training programmes that will benefit youth from the area and neighbouring villages. The institution, established in 1965 with just 43 students, has grown into a major centre of learning with over 3,000 students across multiple programmes, Principal G. Lyngdoh said.
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