Assam: Union MoS reviews progress of state’s central higher education institutions

Guwahati: The Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati(IIT-Guwahati) hosted Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar for an in-depth review meeting of the central higher educational institutions in Assam.

During his address, Majumdar emphasised the crucial role of higher education in promoting socio-economic growth in Assam and the Northeast.

“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,” he said.   

“Additionally, as the world moves towards the vision of a developed India, it is crucial for our institutions to emphasise research and innovation to compete on the global stage. We must continue building on this foundation to remain globally competitive,” he added.

The minister praised the institutions for their contributions to research, innovation, and community outreach, encouraging greater collaboration to align with national education goals.

Majumdar 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.

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

In his closing address, Director of IIT-Guwahati Prof. Devendra Jalihal reaffirmed the institute’s unwavering commitment to educational excellence and research, underscoring its significant role in both regional and national development. 

He highlighted the premier institute’s robust infrastructure, diverse academic programmes and active student community, touching upon key aspects, including admissions, student activities and accomplishments of its graduates.

Several key points were discussed between Prof. Jalihal and Majumdar during the meeting.

Prof. Jalihal outlined the student exchange programme IIT-Guwahati has in collaboration with the Japanese universities and provided an update on the ongoing research projects.

He also highlighted the institute’s research park 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 floods.

The event hosted by IIT-Guwahati served as an important platform for collaborative discussions and strategic planning strengthening the educational framework of Assam’s leading institutions.