Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 278/08

MLCU FIRST CONVOCATION

Meghalaya Governor, Mr. R S Mooshahary who is also the Visitor of the Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU) today attended the first convocation of the MLCU at a function held at Khasi National Dorbar Hall, Mawkhar, Shillong. Mr. Mooshahary was accompanied by Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr. Don Kupar Roy, who grace the occasion as the chief guest, Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. H S Lyngdoh, Minister Education, Mr. M Chaudhuri, who grace the occasion as the guest of honour, Leader of Opposition, Dr. D D Lapang, Chancellor, MLCU, Dr. K M Shyamprasad, Vice Chancellor, Dr. G C Kharkongor, Senior Administrative Secretary, KJPA, Rev. Dr. J F Jyrwa, Registrar, MLCU, Rev. E H Kharkongor, faculty, students and parents.

In his presidential address, Mr. Mooshahary said that our universities and colleges are mass production units of degree holders, but it does not seem to be the concern of the educational institutions to empower the youth with the skills for employment and self reliance. He also lamented that admission in any college is difficult without good marks, which the vast majority of the students do not score, adding that they have no avenue to pursue higher studies and channelize their energy. He further stated that in the base of the education pyramids, there are already some 200 million youth seeking jobs while the professionals with requisite skills will always be short of demand in the years to come. “We need more institutions for training high professionals but more importantly, we need to create a class of skilled workforce, which is socially more important than the elite class institutions,” added Mr. Mooshahary.

Dr. Roy in his speech as the chief guest said that knowledge and information as well as the population are expanding so rapidly as to make it difficult if not impossible for the Government alone to provide higher education in general and university education in particular to all those who are qualified or are aspiring for such education. He also informed that the State Government in the year 2005 had passed three Acts in the State Legislature to bring into being three Private Universities with headquarters in Shillong. However, out of the three universities, the MLCU has made the most significant progress by far. He further stated that Meghalaya should regain its position as the education hub of the North East, adding that with the setting of the IIM, NIFT and setting up of the new English and Foreign Language University and National Institute of Technology in Shillong in the days to come will regain back the name of Meghalaya as the educational hub of the region.

Mr. Chaudhuri in his speech as the guest of honour congratulated the students who have graduated on this day. He also said that the MLCU as one of the development university has aligned the objectives and priorities with the development needs of the State and the Region. He also informed that the Government is trying to invite private players especially those with a proven track record in providing quality higher education to invest in the State and start college and universities in the State, adding that this will not only provide better access to the student many of whom have had to go far away to other States in search of higher education.

Later, Meghalaya Governor, Mr. Mooshahary handed over the degree certificates to the graduate of the university in various streams.

Others who spoke on the occasion included Chancellor, MLCU, Dr. K M Shyamprasad, Vice Chancellor, Dr. G C Kharkongor, Senior Administrative Secretary, KJPA, Rev. Dr. J F Jyrwa and Registrar, MLCU, Rev. E H Kharkongor.