By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Almost a year after its constitution the State regulatory board for higher education has started functioning since April 30.
The board was constituted last year to regulate the functioning of private universities in the State under the Meghalaya Private Universities (Regulation of Establishment and Maintenance of Standards) Act, 2012.
In a statement issued here, chairman of the body, L Roy, said that the five-member committee was constituted to ensure quality education and to oversee the functioning of all private universities in the State.
Interestingly, the board started functioning from the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) Building of the Education department at Laitumkhrah from April 30, the same day when Governor RS Mooshahary, in his capacity as the Visitor of CMJ University, directed that no fresh admission of students shall be undertaken by the University till the appointment of a qualified Chancellor.
Under the MPU Act, the State Government, on the recommendation of the regulatory board, may impose penalty on any private university which awards any degree that does not conform to extant government regulations.
The Act also provides that no penalty should be imposed unless such private universities are given a reasonable opportunity of being heard.
The other members of the body are educationists T Marak, Dr Caroline R Marak, MPR Lyngdoh and the DHTE, Meghalaya convener.