Shillong, June 10: Meghalaya Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui on Wednesday inaugurated the Regional Workshop on the Implementation of RUSA/PM-USHA for the North Eastern States at the State Convention Centre in Shillong.
Organised by the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, the workshop brought together officials and stakeholders from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim to review the progress of higher education projects and reforms in the region.
Among those present were Avni Gupta Pethia, Commissioner and Secretary of the Education Department and State Project Director of RUSA/PM-USHA Vijay Kumar Mantri, Commissioner and Secretary R. Rapthap, Director of Higher and Technical Education H.D.B. Sangma, Joint Director B.D. Cajee, consultants from the Ministry of Education, and representatives of higher educational institutions from across the Northeast.
In his inaugural address, Rymbui highlighted the importance of education in nation-building and reiterated the Meghalaya Government’s commitment to strengthening the education sector under the leadership of Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma. He said education remains one of the state government’s highest priorities and stressed the need to strengthen higher education institutions to achieve the vision of a developed India by 2047.
The minister acknowledged the positive impact of the National Education Policy but pointed out that challenges remain in infrastructure development and project implementation. He noted that difficult terrain, land constraints, communication barriers and logistical issues often delay projects in the Northeastern states.
Referring to Meghalaya’s experience, Rymbui said that even where sufficient land is available, steep slopes and challenging topography can hinder infrastructure development. He urged the Ministry of Education to continue adopting a flexible approach in project implementation and fund release mechanisms to address the unique realities of the region.
He also emphasized the need for active participation from institutions, communities, local authorities and government agencies to ensure the successful implementation of educational initiatives. The minister further highlighted Meghalaya’s efforts to expand access to higher education by establishing new institutions and strengthening existing colleges and universities.
Addressing the gathering, Avni Gupta Pethia outlined the objectives of the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan and Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan, which aim to improve access, equity and quality in higher education while creating globally competitive institutions. She informed participants that nearly 80 per cent of RUSA projects sanctioned in the Northeastern region have been completed despite geographical challenges. She urged states to expedite the completion of pending projects and accelerate the utilisation of PM-USHA funds, assuring continued support from the Ministry.
Pethia also acknowledged the region’s unique geographical conditions and reiterated the Government of India’s commitment through the 90:10 funding pattern under centrally sponsored schemes. She commended the Northeastern states for their performance and emphasized that the ultimate goal is to provide students with equitable, accessible and quality higher education opportunities.
Welcoming participants, Vijay Kumar Mantri said the workshop provides an important platform to review the progress of higher education reforms in the Northeast. He noted that while infrastructure development is crucial, equal attention must be given to strengthening governance, academic quality and institutional capacity within higher education institutions.
The workshop will deliberate on project implementation, fund utilisation, infrastructure development and strategies to ensure the timely completion of ongoing RUSA and PM-USHA projects across the Northeastern states.
