GUWAHATI, April 8: A spectacular view of the rich cultural mosaic of the Northeast was showcased by thousands of youths from different colleges of the region at the playground of the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) here on Saturday, as part of the inaugural ceremony of the 7th North East Graduate Congress (NEGC)-2023.
More than 10,000 students from different colleges gathered at USTM to participate in various sports, cultural, literary and start-up competitions, as well as sessions on competitive examinations, personality development and a job fair.
On the occasion, the North East Principal and Faculty Meet-2023 was also organised by USTM, where principals from more than 200 colleges participated.
Addressing the inaugural programme, USTM Chancellor Mahbubul Hoque said, “We have been organising NEGC to benefit the region’s youths by helping them set their vision so that they can shoulder responsibilities and contribute to nation-building.”
“NEGC is the most acclaimed flagship programme of the USTM that aims to inculcate the spirit of competitiveness, regional integrity, social harmony and brotherhood among the youths,” he added.
Assam PHE Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah was the special guest at the event, apart from other dignitaries.
The inaugural ceremony of NEGC-2023 was witnessed by a galaxy of prominent personalities ranging from youth icons, academia, politicians, cultural and sports icons, motivational speakers, principals of various colleges, faculty members and students.
During the North East Principal and Faculty Meet, Academic Leadership Award-2023 was also handed over to the principals of select colleges by Baruah.
Renowned motivational speaker Thomas John Rose took a session on ‘Leadership in Academics’ at the principal’s meet and held sessions with the participating students of the NEGC.
The colleges also signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with the USTM on the occasion.
It is pertinent to note that as part of the 7th North East Graduate Congress, various co-curricular activities are being organised.
The cultural competitions include cultural showcasing, skit, group song, group dance, on-the-spot painting, mehendi, cartooning, photography and rangoli.
Similarly, the sporting events include volleyball, kabaddi, chess, arm wrestling, powerlifting, badminton, basketball, and horse riding.
Literary competitions, on the other hand, include debate on ‘Globalization has posed a threat to the economy’ as well as quiz.
Attractive awards worth Rs 50 lakh, including two-wheelers, laptops, tablets, mobile phones and cash prizes will be given away to the winners of different competitions whilst certificates of participation would be given to all the participants.
Special attractions in the award category are ‘Best Performing College-2023’ and ‘Best Magazine Award-2023’.
The NEGC is a unique confluence of the student community at the undergraduate level which is held annually under the aegis of the USTM.
The prime thrust of the NEGC is to facilitate the aspiring and budding youths to have direct interactive sessions with renowned academicians, educationists, industrialists and entrepreneurs of national and international repute in a single platform, enabling them to shape their career.
