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Chancellor's Report
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- “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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
All WCU Environmental Projects are supported by the
International Ecological Engineering Society, Switzerland
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No reproduction, electronic or otherwise without the express permission of William Carey University. Copyright © since 2008. |
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