ITANAGAR, Feb 7: The two-day XVIIIth conference of Higher & Technical Education, GoAP, concluded here with threadbare discussion on proper regulation of private universities and institutes in the state and the country.
After threadbare discussion on matters related to Rajiv Gandhi University, private universities, UGC, government colleges and polytechnics, AISHE, RUSA, NSS, and such, the panellists in the conference were of the view that Arunachal Pradesh should move cautiously and put in place all relevant regulatory mechanisms to check the authenticity of approval and accreditation process of private universities to avoid embarrassing situations prevailing elsewhere in the country.
‘It is believed that with proper regulation, these universities and institutes could surely supplement and complement the efforts of the government run institutions and hence should be supported,’ they observed.
Governor Dr B D Mishra, who participated in both the inaugural and technical sessions, advised the educational fraternity to be virtuous and introspective.
He expressed satisfaction that intellectuals like professors and educational administrators from the state and outside have come forward to put their heads together to improve the standard of education in the state. He believed that higher education is the prime mover of modern society.
Education Minister Honchun Ngandam hoped that this conference would come out with new ideas and strategies to bring in improvement in all aspects of higher education in the state.
He allayed the fear among the people about apparent mushrooming of private universities and colleges and apprised that the government is watchful.
‘Given the communication bottlenecks and other factors, such growth (of private universities), if monitored properly would certainly promote the cause of higher education in the state, the minister opined.
Education Secretary, Dr Madhu Rani Teotia urged the academicians to strive their best to use this forum to devise ways and means to make the higher education in the state meaningful for the globalised world.
RGU Vice Chancellor, Prof T Mibang opined that higher education has the potential to facilitate socio-economic advancement, especially in a state like Arunachal Pradesh.
NIT Director incharge, Prof M M Shome also spoke on the occasion
The conference also witnessed the presentation of two academic oriented papers by Prof E Bijoy Kumar Singh of Economics department of Manipur University and Prof S Borbora of IIT, Guwahati.
While Prof Singh’s area was “Challenges of Higher Education in North Eastern India”, Prof Borbora’s presentation was on “Governance and Institutional Reforms”.
In subsequent technical sessions, deliberations were made on various issues related to day to day functioning of colleges and polytechnics, along with other pertinent issues like infrastructure development, faculty and staff recruitment and implementation of CSS.
