GUWAHATI:
The University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM), on April 28, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with 11 University Grant Commission (UGC) affiliated colleges from Assam for academic collaboration, research and development.
As per the MoU, USTM will offer freeship/scholarship for meritorious students from humble backgrounds for higher education on recommendation from the authorities of the signatory colleges and will jointly undertake research and project work in emerging areas with local relevance, apart from other activities.
The colleges that signed the MoU with USTM are Furkating College, Golaghat; Bir Lachit Borphukan College, Sivasagar; Dibru College, Dibrugarh; Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Adarsha Mahavidyalaya, Amjonga, Goalpara; Silapathar College, Dhemaji; Birjhora Mahavidyalaya, Bongaigaon; Dhakuakhana College; Saraighat College, Changsari; Pandu College, Guwahati; Suren Das College, Hajo and Gurucharan College, Silchar.
Heads and internal Quality assurance cell (IQAC) coordinators of 30 UGC affiliated colleges of Assam took part in a brainstorming session at the conference hall of the university as part of their preparation for Assessment and Accreditation for grading of the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).
A workshop titled “Enhancing Quality and Envisioning Better Grade: Role of IQAC in light of NEP 2020” was organised in the university campus where Santanu Kumar Baishya, professor (retd) Cotton University, was the key resource person.
Prof Baishya also made a presentation on “A road map for Assessment and Accreditation” and said that there are four pillars of Assessment and Accreditation by NAAC-principal of the institution, IQAC, Faculty and staff, students.
He also touched upon the first few steps on how to proceed for the preparation and discussed the scoring system and the benchmark set by NAAC regarding the SSR.
Prof GD Sharma, vice-chancellor of USTM, spoke on the role of educational institutions in the society and how academic institutions should take their values for application to the people in nearby areas. He emphasised on proper documentation of everything and said that signing of the MoU will not only be on paper, but will also be implemented for the benefit of all the institutions.