New Delhi, May 25: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Sunday met Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in New Delhi and expressed gratitude for initiating the process for the appointment of a Vice Chancellor for North Eastern Hill University.
In a letter submitted to the Union Minister, the Chief Minister stated that the move had brought “much-needed reassurance” and had been widely welcomed by the university community.
“This step has brought much-needed reassurance and has been widely welcomed across the University community. It is important that this momentum is now carried forward with both urgency and thoughtful care,” Sangma said in his letter.
The Chief Minister also urged that the selection process be carried out with utmost diligence while ensuring that the appointment is not unnecessarily delayed in the larger interest of the institution.
He further stressed the need to appoint a candidate with strong academic and administrative credentials, along with the leadership qualities required to guide NEHU through its present challenges.
During the meeting, Sangma also sought the Union Minister’s intervention regarding five projects sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) for the NEHU Tura Campus, which are yet to be implemented despite the release of Rs. 35 crore by the Ministry of Minority Affairs for infrastructure development.
The Chief Minister said the pending projects are crucial not only for the university but also for the overall development of the Garo Hills region, particularly in strengthening higher education infrastructure and meeting the aspirations of students and the community.
He also noted that the Ministry of Minority Affairs had earlier suggested the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) as the implementing agency during a review meeting held on October 14, 2025.
Sangma further briefed the Union Minister on the development of Captain Williamson Sangma State University, which is being developed as a greenfield model university. He requested financial assistance for infrastructure creation, academic expansion, laboratories, student hostels, faculty development and professional education programmes.
The Chief Minister also submitted a request for financial assistance to CWSSU under the MERU (Multi-Disciplinary Education and Research Universities) vertical of PM-USHA, under which State Government Universities are eligible for grants of up to Rs. 100 crore each.
“Meghalaya could not avail support under this vertical earlier due to the absence of a State University. With CWSSU now operational, the State is hopeful of participating meaningfully in this important national initiative,” Sangma stated in his letter.
