MoS Sukanta Majumdar reviews progress of CHEI at IIT Guwahati

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 20, 2024

Union Minister of State for Education, Sukanta Majumdar conducted an in-depth review meeting of the Central Higher Educational Institutions (CHEIS) in the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati on Friday.

In his address, Majumdar emphasized the crucial role of higher education in promoting socio-economic growth in Assam and the Northeast and said, “Our institutes in the northeastern states are facing multiple challenges—ranging from student well-being to financial and infrastructural constraints.”

“It is imperative that we collectively rise to meet these challenges. Additionally, as the world moves toward the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat,’ it is crucial for our institutions to emphasize research and innovation to compete on the global stage. We must continue building on this foundation to remain globally competitive,” Mazumdar said.

The Union Minister appreciated institutions for their contributions to research, innovation, and community outreach, encouraging greater collaboration to align with national education goals.

Majumdar also highlighted the importance of implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) to enhance students’ access to a wider range of courses and ensure smoother educational pathways, fostering more inclusive and flexible learning opportunities for the region’s youth.

The event saw participation from leaders and representatives of key educational institutions in the region, who shared updates on their current progress, achievements, and future plans.

In his closing remarks, Prof Devendra Jalihal, Director, IIT Guwahati, reaffirmed the institute’s unwavering commitment to educational excellence and research, underscoring its significant role in both regional and national development. He highlighted the institute’s robust infrastructure, diverse academic programs, and active student community, touching upon key aspects such as admissions, student activities, and the accomplishments of its graduates.

During the meeting between Prof Devendra Jalihal and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar, several key points were discussed.

Jalihal outlined the student exchange program IIT Guwahati has in collaboration with Japanese universities and provided an update on ongoing research projects. He also highlighted the IIT Guwahati Research Park, a Ministry of Education initiative, and presented a new proposal for establishing a School of Architecture and Planning.

The discussion also touched upon the promotion of local languages and the critical issue of Assam’s floods.

The event was also attended by BK Singh, Director, Ministry of Education, Parth Gautam, Private Secretary to MoS; Prof G Krishnamoorthy from IIT Guwahati; Dr Bibhas Modi, Prof Sarat Kumar Patra Director, IIIT Guwahati; and Prof Ferdous Ahmed Barbhuiya, Dean (Administration) of IIT Guwahati.