USTM Launches Driving School
for Women

GUWAHATI, 8 March, 2018:
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, a driving
school for women has been launched today by the
University of Science & Technology, Meghalaya (USTM) as
a part of its community college initiative. Named “USTM
Women’s Driving School: An Outreach Initiative of ERDF”,
the initiative aims at empowering women, especially
those who are economically weak, school dropouts,
widows, single mothers and the like by enabling them to
earn a living by taking driving as a profession. Open
for all women, the course will include both practical,
theory and personality development classes. The
ceremonial launch at USTM was honoured by Prof. Jeane W
Anastas from Silver School of Social Work, New York
University, Prof Yasmin Saikia and Dr Chad Haines from
Arizona State University, USA, and Guwahati-based
entrepreneur Meghali Bora.
“With the view of women empowerment on the International
Women’s Day, the programme begins from today with
enrollment of students. Along with others, our faculty
members and students who are willing can also avail this
course. We are recruiting efficient lady instructors for
the training”, said Mahbubul Hoque, Chancellor of USTM
and Chairman of ERD Foundation, Guwahati. He said that
Meghali Bora, who is the Managing Director of a city
based driving institute, will be the Director of the
school at USTM.
Meghali Bora, Director of the driving school, said that
a driving course from USTM will add significance to the
course and this is a bold initiative taken for the first
time by a University in the region. “We are keeping
minimum age of joining the school as 18. It is an appeal
from USTM and its parent orgaisation ERDF to all who
want to recruit a woman driver to contact us after
completion of course of the first batch”, she said.
Apart from driving, the course will also include
training on minimum skills such as changing a tire, etc.
The course offered by USTM includes five stages. There
will be orientation classes for 3 to 5 days that will be
followed by hands on practical lessons by female
trainers for 10 days. This will be followed by 10 days’
training on communication skill, ethics and
professionalism. Then there will be practical test of
200 marks and then exams of 100 marks will be taken.
After the exams, USTM will also arrange Internship for
the students for 10 days after which certificates will
be awarded. The University will also help the students
in placement with women employers. Classes will begin
from 15 March 2018
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