In order to break the boundary between Society and University and with an outreach initiative to achieve the goal of making University of Science & Technology, Meghalaya a “Peoples’ University” by intruding into each and every corner of the region, the promoter of the University- ERD FOUNDATION, GUWAHATI has organized “University Public Relation Day” on August 9, 2015 at Hotel Land Mark in Guwahati.
At the beginning, the Vice Chancellor of USTM Dr. P. G. Rao had presented the achievements and activities of the University during the last academic year in front of the august gathering.
The chairman of ERD Foundation Shri M. Hoque had announced some educational schemes for media friends and free admission for underprivileged meritorious students He said on the occasion that mass media is the mirror of the society and ERDF has always been fortunate enough to have the support of the media in various endeavors of the foundation and therefore to express the gratitude and to help the media fraternity these educational schemes were announced which includes concession in course fee for the media person as well as for their near and dear ones, in achieving their desire to avail higher education. He said, “Media has been one of our backbones in our progress over the years and as a token of gratitude to them, today I am informing that one seat each would be reserved for an accredited media person or his/her immediate family member in every course in USTM,” He further informed the gathering that ten per cent of all seats in USTM & RIST are reserved for free education of meritorious BPL students and requested the media to carry this information to the remotest corners of the State so that the most deserving boys and girls could take advantage of this offer.
Speaking on the occasion, HN Das, former Chief Secretary, Assam; Dr AC Bhagawati, former VC, Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh; Padmashree Lakhinandan Bora, former President, Asom Sahitya Sabha; and Dr Amarjyoti Choudhury, Pro VC, Tezpur University recalled their long association with ERDF, simultaneously showering accolades for the innovativeness and excellence displayed by the different schools of the USTM. They were of the opinion that USTM is an University with a difference.
In his address as the chief guest, Shri RS Mooshahary, former Governor of Meghalaya, said that there is no denying of the fact that knowledge is power. He added, “But this power may be misused without character and morality. When character and morality are present along with knowledge that is real education.”
Prof NK Choudhury, former VC, Gauhati University and Principal Adviser ERDF, said that USTM is always innovative and it is perhaps unique in the way it takes care of education for all ages – right from pre primary to PhD.
The function was also graced by other renowned personalities and academicians of the region along with senior executives of media houses.