Captain Williamson Sangma State University empowered to award degrees
Shillong, Dec 7: Setting a landmark in educational infrastructure in Meghalaya, the first state-owned Captain Williamson Sangma State University has received recognition from the University Grants Commission (UGC).
“The Captain Williamson Sangma State University has been established by the Government of Meghalaya, as a State Public University…Accordingly, the name of the University has been included in the list of Universities,” stated a letter from the union Ministry of Education to the university.
CWSS University was established through Captain Williamson Sangma Technical University Act, 2011 and amended by Captain Williamson Sangma Technical (Amendment) Act, 2023.
Reacting to the milestone achieved by the first state-owned university, chief minister Conrad Sangma congratulated the people of Meghalaya.
“Congratulations to the people of Meghalaya! The University Grants Commission has granted recognition to Captain Williamson Sangma State University, marking the official commencement of the state’s first university. We look forward to its success in advancing the education and future of our youth,” Sangma posted on X.
With the UGC recognition, the CWSS University has now been empowered to award degrees, as specified by the UGC, by conducting courses through its own departments, its constituent colleges and/or through its affiliated colleges in regular mode only.
“However, prior approvals for running professional, technical and medical programmes shall be obtained from the respective regulatory councils/commissions,” stated the letter.
Such programmes are governed by the norms of respective regulatory councils/commissions and the approval of concerned council/commission is mandatory.
Meanwhile, the letter categorically stated that CWSS University shall award only such degrees as specified by UGC and that it will operate only within the territorial jurisdiction allotted to it.
Quoting a Supreme Court order, the letter said, “The University is not allowed to start any off-campus centre beyond the territorial jurisdiction as provided in the Act and under no circumstances beyond the state of its location.”
It has also barred the university from opening any open and distance learning programmes and on-line programmes without prior and specific approval of UGC.
The ministry, meanwhile, asked the university to take steps for getting necessary accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).
