Shillong, June 09: Union minister of state for Human Resource Development (HRD), Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey, today asked the Rajiv Gandhi Indian Institute of Management (RGIIM), Shillong to persistently take up its responsibility in ensuring its role as a catalyst by focusing on developmental needs of the North-eastern region and make itself accessible for the overall growth of the region apart from imparting quality higher education to the students from across the country.
The Minister who visited RGIIM, Shillong today, also urged faculty members to work in tandem with the overall aim of moving from assistance in ‘Look East’ to Áct East’ vision of the country, and ensured all out support to the RGIIM in its initiatives.
Earlier on his arrival at the institute, the Minister was taken for a first-hand view of the premises of the current campus, including the auditorium where former President, late Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam had delivered his last lecture.
Dr. Pandey was welcomed by the Institute’s fraternity and interacted with the Director and faculty members on various issues of regional and national importance.
Visibly happy with the strides of progress made by RGIIM, Dr. Pandey encouraged the gathering to exercise continuous efforts in the days to come, so as to be able to maintain standards to meet both national and international expectations.
“It is amply evident that each member of the Institute has been working from the heart. This sense of ownership is what will further the cause of institutional building,” the Minister remarked.
He also congratulated the efforts of RGIIM’s leadership in meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision towards holistic societal development.
Dr Pandey was sure that the institute’s rich expertise in drawing new ideas and explore areas for innovative practices, would assist in further building the dream for a New India.
During the interaction, RGIIM director, Amitabha De shared the success stories of the institute through the persistent achievements of its students and faculty community during its 10 years of existence.
He informed the Minister regarding the support through DoNER and NEC towards setting up of the APJ Abdul Kalam Center for Policy Research & Analysis that aimed at achieving developmental framework on six key areas such as Tourism, BPO, Logistics, Handloom and Handicraft.
“In addition, the Center for Development of NER set up since inception of the Institute is assisting in capacity building to ensure employability of the youth of this region. The students of RGIIM Shillong have also initiated Nurturing Minds wherein students of local schools are being given quality tuition in the area of science and mathematics, keeping up the urge of Dr. Kalam for transfer of knowledge to the underprivileged,” the director said.
