Ri-Bhoi, Dec 4: The University of Science & Technology Meghalaya (USTM) showcased cutting-edge innovations at the Regional AI Impact Conference 2025, held in Shillong and organised by the IT & Communication Department, Government of Meghalaya, in collaboration with the India AI Mission, Ministry of Electronics & IT.
The event featured the launch of the Bhashini Hackathon to enable AI-based public service access in Khasi and Garo, and MeghDEE, a youth-driven AI governance innovation platform. Several MoUs were also exchanged during the conference.
USTM’s Vice Chancellor Prof. G.D. Sharma attended as a distinguished guest, reflecting the university’s growing leadership in AI-driven research. Students and faculty exhibited four key projects, including AI-based Skin Cancer Detection, Voice-Assisted Drone for search and rescue, Precision Agriculture using ML, and an AI-powered Fish Species Recognition system. Their stall was the only one from a private university invited by the state government.
Senior officials Pravin Bakshi, IAS, and Sudeep Srivastava, IAS, visited the USTM showcase and praised the innovations, with Srivastava urging students to apply for the MeitY Fellowship.
In his inaugural speech, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma highlighted Meghalaya’s rising role in the digital ecosystem and urged investment in frontier technologies such as AI and quantum computing.
USTM, the first state private university to receive an NAAC A grade, continues to strengthen its national standing, being the only Northeast private university featured in NIRF rankings for four consecutive years including 2025.
