Tura: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Monday inaugurated the state’s first-ever state-owned university, Captain Williamson Sangma State University, in a significant step for the state’s higher education landscape.
The launch event was attended by Speaker Thomas A. Sangma, Deputy Chief Minister Snaiwbhalang Dhar, Education Minister Rakkam Sangma, and Power Minister Abu Taher Mondal, along with other dignitaries.
The university’s infrastructure was inaugurated in January 2023, with construction beginning in June 2018 at a cost of Rs. 16.96 crores.
Initially conceived in 2011 as Captain Williamson Sangma State Technical University, the institution was renamed in 2022 to include both technical and non-technical colleges across the state.
Named in honour of Captain Williamson A. Sangma, Meghalaya’s founding Chief Minister, the university is designed to provide higher education while fostering research and innovation.
“This is a red-letter day for the people of Meghalaya. The university will drive transformative change in our educational system,” Sangma said during the inauguration.
He emphasised that the establishment of the university is a major milestone for a state that has lacked its own university for over 50 years.
“This university is a promise—a promise of hope, growth, and limitless possibilities for the people of Meghalaya,” he added.
Despite challenges in the education sector, the chief minister expressed optimism about the future, stating, “We have miles to go, but with determination, we will make this university a beacon of knowledge and pride for our state.”
Sangma also announced plans to set up a Shillong campus to enhance accessibility for students from the Khasi and Jaintia Hills regions.
The university is now operational, with all state colleges eligible to apply for affiliation.
Students at affiliated colleges will not be required to take the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, a significant exemption compared to colleges affiliated with North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong.
The chief minister encouraged colleges to affiliate with the new university, promising state government support to ensure the growth and development of affiliated institutions.
The launch event also addressed the challenges facing the state’s education sector, including low school enrollment and performance issues.
Sangma assured that the government is committed to improving accountability and the administration of quality education services.
Prof. Vasanthi Vijayakumar, the newly appointed Vice Chancellor of the university, vowed to deliver quality education while promoting research and holistic development.
Vijay Kumar Mantri, Commissioner and Secretary of the Education Department, praised the university’s potential in bridging the educational gap and supporting Meghalaya’s growth.
“This is a historic day for the state,” he remarked.
During the ceremony, several colleges, including Williamnagar College, Captain Williamson Sangma College in Baghmara, and P A Sangma Abong Noga College in Tura, formally submitted affiliation applications.
In recognition of its establishment, the University Grants Commission (UGC) granted official recognition to the university under section 2(f) of the UGC Act 1956 on December 6, 2024.
