9th Mile, Khanapara, Ri Bhoi, March 25, 2023: The three-day-long mega academic event of the country, the National Conference of Vice-Chancellors on “Transformative Higher Education for Atmanirbhar Bharat” has ended here today with its valedictory session graced by Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, the Hon’ble Governor of Assam as the Chief Guest. The Conference was organised by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), New Delhi in collaboration with the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) from 23rd to 25th March 2023 at USTM campus.
The guests of honour for the valedictory session were, Shri Atul Kothari, National Secretary, Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas; Shri Rakkam A Sangma, Education Minister, Government of Meghalaya, and Dr Nani Gopal Mahanta, Education Advisor, Government of Assam.
Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, Governor of Assam being felicitated by Mahbubul Hoque, Chancellor of USTM at National Conference of Vice Chancellors-2023 at USTM on 25th March.
Addressing the august gathering, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, Hon’ble Governor of Assam thanked AIU and all the Vice Chancellors on behalf of Assam and all the states of the North East for participating in the conference at USTM and expressed his hope that India will again become Viswaguru based on knowledge, dedication and service. “I congratulate Mahbubul Hoque, Chancellor of USTM, for establishing and nurturing an unparalleled university, a true people’s university”, he added.
Shri Rakkam A Sangma, Hon’ble Education Minister of Meghalaya, addressed the participants as the special guest of honour. Earlier, the welcome address was made by Prof G D Sharma, Vice President of AIU and Vice Chancellor, USTM. Dr Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General, AIU addressed the august gathering and thanked all the distinguished dignitaries for participating at the conference and making it successful. The conference report was presented by Dr S Rama Devi Pani, Editor of University News, AIU.
Delivering the presidential address, Prof Suranjan Das, President, AIU and VC, Jadavpur University, Kolkata said that this was an unparalleled conference hosted by USTM. Shri Atul Kothari, National Secretary Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas and Prof Nani Gopal Mahanta, Education Advisor, Govt of Assam addressed the gathering as the guests of honour.
The valedictory session of the VC’s Conference was preceded by a technical session with the theme “Future of Education, Learning and Workplace”. The sub-themes of the session were: ‘Technology based personalized teaching-learning models’, ‘Changing role of teachers as facilitators’ and ‘Preparing the students for future jobs.’ This last technical session of the Conference was Chaired by Prof. Ranbir Singh, Former President, AIU and Chancellor, IILM University, Gurugram. It was co-chaired by Prof. Bhushan Patwardhan, Former Vice Chairman, UGC & Former Chairman-EC, NAAC. The speakers at the session were Prof M M Pant, Former Pro Vice Chancellor, IGNOU (Online); Prof Marmar Mukhopadhyay, Former Director, NIEPA and Prof Parameswar K Iyer, Director, IIT, Guwahati. The session was followed by the AIU General and Business Session.
The three-day-long National Conference of Vice Chancellors was attended by more than 500 hundred Vice Chancellors and Directors of IITs, IISc, NITs and other higher education institutions from India and abroad.
The Conference ended with the vote of thanks extended by Dr Alok Kumar Mishra, Joint Secretary, AIU followed by singing of the National Anthem.