The Business Of Learning

Encouraging private investments in the education sector is the need of the hour in the Northeast

- Bhairavi Jani

The recent explorations of ISRO’s Chandrayaan-2 on the moon is proof that there is no dearth of opportunity for Indians to contribute intellectually to the progress of our nation and the world. In fact, whether it is to lead public administration or businesses across the board, or to break new ground in the technology for agriculture, manufacturing or services, an educated and skilled youth population is vital. And, while there are several institutions across the country, the North East Region (NER) falls short on offering avenues for advanced learning and specialised skills. Thousands of students from various states of the region leave their hometowns to pursue higher studies in universities and colleges of India’s metros and other towns in a variety of fields.

History Has It

Owing to its pleasant all-year-round climate, similar to the native topography of the countryside in England, Wales and Scotland, and scenic beauty, British colonialists established Departments of Education and Universities under The Woods’ Despatch of 1854 in Shillong. The Welsh Presbyterian Mission introduced Western education in Khasi Hills much earlier, in 1841.

The latter half of the 19th century saw a rapid increase in the number of technical centres and colleges run by British and Irish missionaries. However, this phenomenon did not spread to other parts of the NER.

Present Institutional Base