Shillong, August 1: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), Education Cell, Central Executive Council (CEC), under the leadership of Education Secretary Samla Alerick Kharjana, has welcomed what it termed a significant victory following its meeting with the authorities of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Meghalaya over issues concerning the welfare and rights of students.
The KSU had taken up complaints from students of NIT Meghalaya regarding an alleged requirement for students to sign an Undertaking/Declaration Form that restricted them from forming or joining any Students’ Body. The Union had also raised concerns over an alleged requirement for 100 per cent attendance, terming such conditions unjustified and a violation of students’ freedom and rights.
During its meeting with the NIT authorities, the KSU strongly opposed the alleged practices and demanded that the Undertaking/Declaration Form be withdrawn within a week and that the attendance policy be aligned with the institute’s Academic Regulations.
Five days later, the NIT Meghalaya authorities issued a public response to the Union, clarifying that the required attendance is 75 per cent and not 100 per cent, as had been alleged.
The institute also informed that the practice of obtaining Undertaking/Declaration Forms has been discontinued from the 2026–27 academic session, and no such forms have been collected from students admitted during the current academic session.
The NIT authorities further stated that the institute would strengthen its Student Grievance Redressal Mechanism and introduce an Online Grievance Portal to facilitate students in submitting their grievances.
The KSU said the development represents a victory for all students and demonstrates that collective student voices, when raised publicly and on legitimate grounds, can bring about changes in policies affecting students’ welfare.
The Union expressed gratitude to all students who came forward to highlight their concerns and placed their trust in the KSU. It also reaffirmed its commitment to continue standing up for the rights, interests and future of students across the State.
