Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 423/11

A NATIONAL SEMINAR ON CHANGING SCENARIO IN HIGHER EDUCATION HELD

Shillong, August 26, 2011 : A two day National Seminar on ‘Changing Scenario in Higher Education’ was inaugurated today, August 26, 2011 by the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Dr. Mukul Sangma in the presence of Prof. Bharati Ray, Vice President of ICCR and former MP Rajya Sabha as the Guest of Honour at the Auditorium of the Lady Keane College, Shillong. The inauguration function was attended by the President Governing Body, Mrs. Roshan Warjri, Principal of Lady Keane College, Mrs. C. Massar, resource persons, lecturers from different institutions of the State besides the students.

Organized by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of Lady Keane College in collaboration with NEC, Government of India, Shillong, ICSSR, Regional Centre Shillong and SCSTE, Government of Meghalaya Shillong, the objective of the seminar is to focus on some of the core issues relating to higher education so that students are aware of the various scopes and opportunities available.

In his inaugural address, Dr. Mukul Sangma said that globalization has created a lot of opportunities before the youth and it pose challenges to the teachers and researchers to provide the students with the right kind of knowledge and skills so that they can fit in the job markets. This can be done if innovative and creative ideas are in place for framing job-oriented courses to equip the young students to prepare themselves to meet the job requirements. Stating that the North Eastern Region of India has not yet been fully exposed to the latest areas of education and career opportunities, the Chief Minister hoped that the seminar will bring forward the various scopes available within the region and to create awareness amongst the students of the changing scenario of higher education at the national level.

Dr. Sangma also lamented that due to the unchanging educational system, the educated unemployed youth have resort to anti-social activities which have hampered the developmental process in the State and the country as a whole. Therefore, it is the duty and responsibility of all stakeholders to put their heads together to impart knowledge and provide the right guidance to the young minds that would bring together the materials resources and human energies so as to raise the standard of living and bring about a radical change in mindset, he added. The Chief Minister also informed that the Government has decided to set up residential schools in all the Districts of the State particularly in the rural areas so that the children can get the right kind of skills and knowledge and to ensure that quality education is imparted.

Expressing happiness that Lady Keane College has started various short term career-oriented courses, the Chief Minister said that these courses attain significance given the availability of job markets across the globe. He hoped that other institutions in the State will also follow the system to empower the young minds with skills and capabilities to face the competitions head on and encourage them to take up self employment. Therefore, he expressed hope that the deliberations and resolutions in the seminar will transform education in the North East and benefit the students and the teachers.

Prof. Bharati Ray, in her keynote address, touched upon several issues concerning the education scenario across the country which includes access to quality education, infrastructure and diversification of courses besides imparting human values.

In the two day seminar, subjects for discussions and deliberations include the Need and Importance of Vocational Studies, Role of UGC in Centers of Higher Education, Merits and Demerits of Privatization of Higher Education and the Need for Preservation of Vernacular Studies. Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated the upgraded museum of Lady Keane College.

Press Release No. 424/11

MEGHALAYA CM LAYS FOUNDATION STONE FOR MPSC OFFICE BUILDING

Shillong, August 26, 2011: Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma today unveiled the foundation stone for the construction of the Meghalaya Public Service Commission Office to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 6.40 crores at Lower Lachumiere, near Horse Shoe Building Complex, Shillong in the presence of the Meghalaya Chief Secretary, Mr. W. M. S. Pariat, Chairman MPSC, Mr. Ashok Kumar Tigidi and other government officials.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Mukul Sangma said that the Meghalaya Public Service Commission which was established in 1972 does not have an office building of its own and the Government is very much aware of the difficulties faced by the Commission and therefore had decided to provide a separate building exclusively for the Commission in Lower Lachumiere, Shillong.

Dr. Sangma said that the building will have adequate number of rooms for all the members, staff and officers of the Commission with adequate number of examination halls to enable the Commission to conduct examinations as and when required thereby minimizing delays in the process of recruitment.

He also added that the Government is committed to support the Commission for infrastructures development so as to enable the Commission to function more efficiently and deliver the goods as expected by the people of the State.

Press Release No. 425/11

MEASLES CATCH-UP CAMPAIGN BEING CONDUCTED IN WEST GARO HILLS

Shillong, August 26, 2011: Measles Catch-up Campaign 2011 is being conducted by the Government of India to immunize all children from 9 months to under 10 years of age with the measles vaccine. This will apply to all already immunized including those no yet immunized.

In this regard a meeting was conducted on August 24, last, at the office chamber of the Deputy Commissioner, Tura, to form the District Task Force comprising of all the related departmental heads of the district.

The goal of the campaign is to make the populace immune to measles and drastically reduce death due to the dreaded disease. Measles is a highly infectious disease killing around 1 lakh children every year in India and spreads from person to person through coughing and sneezing.

In order to attain 100 percent achievement and to strengthen the measles control programme the campaign will begin with a house to house mobilization of children during the month of September followed by immunization sessions which will be conducted in schools from 7th October 2011 to 22nd October 2011. Thereafter immunization sessions will start in fixed outreach areas in villages and urban localities from 24th October 2011 to 5th November 2011. To make the campaign effectively successful participation of the stakeholders have been highly solicited.