Shillong, 3rd Oct 2022: Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, today laid the foundation stone for P A Sangma International College and Hospital at University of Science & Technology Meghalaya. Also present during the occasion was Minister, Home, Education etc Lakhmen Rymbui, Chancellor, USTM, Mahbubul Hoque and a host of other dignitaries.
Speaking to the gathering, Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, said that it is befitting that the foundation stone is being laid when India is celebrating its 75th year Anniversary of Indian Independence, Meghalaya celebrating 50th year of Statehood and the year also marks 75 years of Late P A Sangma’s birth.”This first private medical college of USTM will be the first of its kind to be set up in Meghalaya and the standard and the professionalism that the medical college will follow will be second to none,” he said. He also said that the involvement of Late P A Sangma in the process of establishing USTM and naming the medical college after him is a tribute to the late leader. “It is fitting tribute that on the 75th birth anniversary of Late P A Sangma we are laying the foundation stone for the medical college which is to be named after him,” he added.
The Chief Minister further said that the biggest investment that a government or a society can make is in human capital. “For the government every development is important but the most important investment that any government can make is in human capital and the biggest challenge that our nation will face in the next few years is to channelize and take our youth forward without which investments in other sectors will not make any difference,” he added. He also said that colleges and universities should not only give education to the youth but also have an important role of doing research and innovation. “The biggest innovations and ideas have come out from from students studying in colleges and schools and while many universities and colleges have lost track of this important factor I am happy that in USTM a lot of impetus is put on research and innovation,” he said. He further stated that the innovation and ideas should be connected with entrepreneurs. “Once the entrepreneurs come into the picture there will be whole lot of connection and exchange among young innovators, business schools and entrepreneurs and lead to the growth of economy,” he said. The Chief Minister also said that thorough discussions are on to see how the government can collaborate and work with USTM especially for the medical college.