Editor,
Through your esteemed daily, I want to bring to the attention of the Health Department, Government of Meghalaya, the urgent need to publish an advertisement for admission to medical colleges (through state government quota) for NEET aspirants.
As a prospective student from a humble background, I am eager to secure a seat in medical colleges, through government sponsorship. However, given the financial constraints of my family, it is imperative that I am informed about the admission process in a timely manner.
I therefore request that the department publishes the advertisement for admission at the earliest possible date, subsequent to the release of the merit list of candidates, along with the probable number of seats available. This would enable students like myself to assess our current position and make informed decisions about whether to wait for the final results or prepare for the next year’s examination.
Understanding that the admission process may be delayed due to the state’s reliance on central government allocation, I believe that early publication of the advertisement and merit list would greatly alleviate the uncertainty faced by aspiring students.
Yours etc.,
Pritisha Kharsyntiew,
Via email
Experiential learning Through NEP 2020 Internship
Editor,
The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) brought a new dimension to higher education across the region by integrating academic study with hands-on practical learning. As a student enrolled under this course through North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), the internship program offered a valuable opportunity to connect classroom theories with real-world experiences across various sectors within 120 hours duration as given by the University.
As part of the initiative, we were placed in a range of government and non-government departments, including Forest, Agriculture, Rural Development, Disaster Management, and Water Resources. These placements aimed to familiarize students with the working of institutions and their roles in governance, development, and planning, while also helping students apply academic knowledge to practical tasks.
One of the key highlights of the internship was “field engagement”. Tasks such as land surveys, mapping, observation, documentation, and occasional interaction with communities gave students an opportunity to better understand how policies and programs are executed on the ground. The experience deepened understanding of both subject matter and social realities.
The internship also played an important role in “skill-building”. It helps us improve our communication, adaptability, time management, and teamwork skills through the responsibilities assigned. Stepping into unfamiliar environments encouraged the development of professional confidence and personal responsibility. Despite initial hesitation, students adapted and gradually grew more comfortable in handling real-world scenarios.
Nevertheless, the program also encountered certain challenges. In many instances, host departments were not fully informed about the internship objectives or how to engage student interns effectively. This resulted in some students receiving repetitive or unrelated tasks, while others experienced delays in getting started. These issues highlighted the need for improved coordination and planning to make the internship more structured and beneficial for all parties involved.
The internship under NEP 2020 stands as a valuable model of applied learning in higher education. It allowed students to connect theoretical learning with real-life settings, thereby broadening their academic and professional understanding. It also encouraged growth in personal skills, such as confidence, clarity, and practical judgement.
This initiative aligns well with the core objectives of NEP 2020, which seeks to make learning more holistic, flexible, and application-oriented. However, the success of such a program depends not only on placement but also on structure, communication, and support. Strengthening these aspects will help maximize the potential of internships and ensure lasting benefits for both students and institutions.
With improved clarity of roles and cooperation between the university and host organizations, this program has the potential to become a cornerstone of experiential education in the region and beyond.
Recommendations for Improvement
To enhance the efficiency and relevance of the internship program under NEP 2020, student placements must be closely aligned with their academic disciplines. Departments receiving interns should be well-informed about the scope of the internship and the kind of work expected. Clear communication will ensure that students are engaged in tasks that contribute to their learning outcomes.
Internship activities should be based on a planned schedule with set tasks and objectives. This structure would help reduce uncertainty and make the experience more impactful. A simple and consistent feedback system should also be introduced so that both students and departments can evaluate the process and suggest necessary changes.
Attention must be given to logistics such as transportation and communication support, especially for internships in rural or difficult-to-access areas. These practical aspects play a significant role in facilitating smooth participation and learning.
Most importantly, NEHU should organize orientation sessions with both government and non-governmental organisations before the start of each internship cycle. These sessions would serve to explain the objectives of the Internship Program (IPO), clarify the roles expected from host institutions, and ensure a shared understanding of how to support student interns effectively. Proper orientation will help eliminate confusion, improve preparedness, and make the program more purposeful for all involved.
With such measures in place, the internship initiative under NEP 2020 can grow into a powerful tool for experiential learning, shaping students into capable, responsible, and practice-ready graduates.
Yours etc.,
Teinam Dkhar,
Via email