TURA: The first polytechnic institution in East Garo Hills was inaugurated by Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma at Williamnagar on Tuesday in the presence of Education Minister and local MLA, Deborah Marak.
This will be the second polytechnic institute in the Garo Hills. Already foundation have been laid recently for the setting up of Ampati Engineering College and College of Urban Planning and Architecture in the chief minister’s constituency of Ampati in South West Garo Hills.
Inaugurating the Williamnagar Polytechnic Institute, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said that his government would continue to lay emphasis on uplift of the social sector with particular focus on health and education to provide all round progress of the people and the state.
The Chief Minister reiterated the state government’s keen interest to provide due recognition for the education sector and highlighted the establishment of the first state-sponsored university, the Caption Williamson Sangma Technical University, named after the first chief minister of Meghalaya.
“This government has a challenge to ensure that education ultimately provides employability and as per the demand mapping of knowledge and skill is being made to ensure space for employment,” said Mukul Sangma.
He said that directions had been given to departments to map emerging opportunities to ensure the youth of the state do not remain at the crossroads when it comes to employment.
“One shouldn’t copy or follow conventional courses, but instead endeavours at setting new trends to provide the necessary skills that are job-driven,” added the chief minister.
With the assembly elections dates to be announced any day now, the chief minister has been on a whirlwind tour of the state holding a series of inaugurations and laying of foundation stones which he said, was the beginning of growth and development.
“Different states in our country boast of having the oldest universities, technical institutes, medical colleges and others. Here we have made a humble beginning and are on the right track towards ensuring accelerated growth and development,” said Mukul Sangma.
Education Minister Deborah Marak while speaking as the guest of honour at the inauguration showered laurels on the chief minister stating that the state government has been able to give visible development in the past ten years under Sangma’s leadership.
The education minister also distributed education tablets to students of Class XII of Williamnagar during the programme.
According to the chief minister, Class XI students would also be eligible for the same tablets from this year onwards.