Khanapara, Nov 21: The essence of the new National Education Policy (NEP) is to groom students as global citizens by providing choice based education with focus on skill development and value based learning in a holistic way, and here in the North East India the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) can act as a catalyst to transform the education scenario. This was stated by Prof D P Singh, Chairman, University Grants Commission (UGC) as he delivered a talk on “National Education Policy-2020 and its implementation” here on Sunday.
Prof Singh also unveiled a statue of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam apart from inaugurating the new Block-I at the university. The programme was organized by USTM and was also participated by Prof D P Agrawal, Former Chairman, UPSC who addressed the students, teachers and staff and lectured on the new education policy.
The UGC Chairman appreciated and congratulated the USTM family for the recent accreditation of ‘A’ grade by NAAC and said, “USTM’s commitment for tribal development, promotion of girl child education, rural students, its Pay Back policy, free education for the meritorious poor students, scholarships etc. represent the vision of higher education in NE India. The university is expanding its wings of higher education globally through various MOUs with great institutions in the country and abroad.”
Speaking on the occasion, the former UPSC Chairman, Prof D P Agrawal said, “NEP emphasizes that all the education policies in the future will be outcome based. Choice based curriculum will be beneficial for bringing out the quality of the students and inculcate in them a sense of belongingness and create wealth for the country.” He also appreciated that the Chairman of NAAC peer team has announced that USTM has the potential to be awarded A++ in the next cycle of NAAC inspection in 2026. Prof DP Agrawal also interacted with the students of USTM who are preparing for the UPSC exam.
Earlier, welcoming the delegates and participants of the gathering, Chancellor of USTM, Mahbubul Hoque, said the visit of UGC chairman is remarkable and extraordinary for any higher educational institution. “We aspire to become a world class university and appeal to all the stakeholders to join us in our endeavour to transform this university into a world class institution and participate in the nation-building process. I am happy for the recent award of Grade-A by NAAC to USTM and extend my gratefulness to the Government of Meghalaya for supporting us in the creation of USTM. We will further develop the university to make it a centre of excellence,” he said.
Delivering the vote of thanks, VC of USTM, Prof G. D. Sharma, said that USTM has recently opened an International Affair Cell for exchange program of students with other institutions in the country and abroad.
