USTM row: Mukul hints at political interference

SHILLONG, March 16: Leader of Opposition, Mukul Sangma has raised concerns about the politicisation of private universities in the region, pointing to the possibility of political interference. He acknowledged that the situation concerning the University of Science and technology, Meghalaya (USTM) appears to have been politicised and stressed the need for verification before drawing definitive conclusions.
The controversy surrounding USTM has wider implications, as it risks undermining public trust in private universities across the region and beyond, he said.
“If institutions become entangled in political manoeuvring, their credibility will be called into question, forcing the government to establish more state-funded universities. This would place an immense financial burden on the government, which is already struggling to accommodate the growing demand for higher education,” he stated.
Pointing out that the model of self-financed private universities was envisioned as a way to bridge the gap between demand and supply in higher education, Sangma noted that if these institutes become mired in doubt and controversy, parents may hesitate to send their children there, leading to a significant shift in the burden of education provision back onto the government.
Sangma called for urgent steps to restore confidence in private universities, including a strong and transparent regulatory mechanism to ensure these institutes are not subjected to undue suspicion. He stressed that the responsibility lies with all stakeholders, government authorities, regulatory bodies, and the academic community to work together in safeguarding the integrity of higher education in Meghalaya.