Our first year of operation is soon concluding and with it we will need to be preparing for the next year, as well as the next phase of operations. A critical evaluation is needed to help us move forward effectively. All faculty have provided reports.

The recent UGC notification confirms our direction to be an innovative university. Universities must concentrate on “Post Graduate and Research programme” and not with undergraduate or graduate degrees, the directive stated. Our first year has also proved that the choices for undergraduate study in Shillong are growing and the low numbers we have confirm that our strategy needs to be different. My vision paper is attached for your perusal.

Some questions need to be asked: Do we need to improve our promotion? What are the real needs in Meghalaya as well as all of the NE India? Are more degree offering colleges and universities required? Before we answer these questions and others, let us look at some of the steps I have been taking.

My travels and interactions with institutions all over the world are yielding encouraging results. We have some promising programmes of post-graduate research and we need to enroll the best graduates to take up these studies.

1. A few Environmental Scientists in Germany are working out a collaborative project that will address water based technologies for Meghalaya. The partnership will function with Aquatectura Berlin, Gebende Hande in Bonn and others. William Carey University and ACTS will be the local partners and applications for research projects that will enable us to construct scientific water ponds and operate a Mobile Unit for training.
2. Collaboration is being worked out with Accent in Switzerland under the direction of an Environmental Scientist Dr. Eva Schuepbach. The project will enable us to recruit and train 50 to 100 students in Environmental Management and field research into NE’s fragile ecology.
3. “Last Mile Advantage Co” in Geneva under the direction of Nigel Majakari will introduce a Social Entrepreneurship course for food production and 20 to 50 young entrepreneurs will be trained under this program. Field projects empowering women entrepreneurs will be conducted.
4. Judson University in Chicago, USA is in conversation for the offering of an MA in Education and we hope to train up 100 teachers under this collaboration. We will start the programme in the coming academic year with a cohort of 20 students. Priority should be given to teachers in service with five years of teaching. The WCU Board can take a decision whether we restrict this program to Government schools.
5. ACTS is planning to start a school to be launched next year and we will be in need to top quality teachers. The University will be able to provide quality teachers and other professionals for the school.
6. Collaboration with Royal India Raj will provide an Institute of Sustainable Technologies on a sprawling 200 acre campus in Tura. The Canadian based company operates under the leadership of Mr. Collins Benjamin who is in negotiation with the Government of Meghalaya for a large development project for low cost housing.
7. Meanwhile, we are developing our campus off the main highway in Umsing. This is 10 acre campus adjacent to the developing Grace City will have access to many modern facilities as well as space in the “City”.

In all, WCU is set to break new ground with very cutting edge programmes that will not only train men and women but will also help Meghalaya to develop. 2010 is a crucial year for us to establish our identity.

Thank you for your encouragement.

Prof. Ken Gnanakan
Chancellor
April 2009