USTM and Gabonese Ministry of Higher Education collaborate for Student Exchange and Research

 9 th Mile, Khanapara, Ri Bhoi, June 17, 2023: To promote and expand international

understanding and stimulate and support educational and intercultural activities and projects,

the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) has signed a Memorandum of

Understanding with the Ministry of Higher Education Gabon here today. The agreement was

signed by Dr Patrick Mouguiama Daouda, Minister of Higher Education & Scientific

Research, Gabon, and Prof GD Sharma, Vice Chancellor USTM and President, Association

of Indian Universities.

The Gabonese Minister of Higher Education, along with Ms Josephine Patricia NTYAM-

EHYA, First Counsellor, Embassy of Gabon in India, and other delegates from the country

visited USTM today and addressed an interactive session with students and faculty members

of the University. A beautiful cultural showcasing of the eight northeastern states was also

presented by USTM students before the international guests on the occasion.

 

Addressing a large gathering of students and faculty members, the Gabonese Minister of

Higher Education Dr Patrick Mouguiama-Daouda expressed his desire to work on inter-

university projects and highlighted the importance of the mobility of teacher-researchers and

students for higher education. “The pact would be a tool to forge a partnership, especially

between USTM and other universities in Gabon. Our students can study digital courses for

the first three years and travel to India to pursue further studies. In the same way, Indian

students can travel to Gabon for further studies. I assure you that Gabon is very capable to

take charge of the students who come to our country for higher studies. Because Gabon has a

policy of social assistance for the students and it is a very strong policy”. He said that the

Gabon government also takes care of the meal and accommodation of the students. The

Indian students who come to study in Gabon can also avail the same benefits, he added.

Appreciating

the green campus of USTM, the Gabonese Higher Education Minister thanked

everyone present for their participation.

Addressing the gathering, Mahbubul Hoque, Chancellor USTM said, “We are collaborating

with other countries for student, faculty, and staff exchange and collaborative research. We

are working honestly with dedication and I believe that by 2030 we can make USTM globally

known. Our University is heading towards becoming a teaching-learning destination for

global students.

Earlier, presenting the welcome address, Prof GD Sharma, VC USTM said, “Now we are in a

position to become a place of attraction for international students. We got ‘A’ Grade by

NAAC and we have NIRF Ranking among the top 200 universities in India. Accordingly,

USTM is coming up with the necessary facilities and infrastructure suitable for international

students.

According to the MoU, while a wide range of projects may be identified within the MoU,

educational experiences between students and staff of the two institutions are likely to

comprise most of them. Each institution will accept full-time students from the other

institution on an approximate one-for-one basis for undergraduate or post-graduate study

during the academic year, and, where feasible, during any of the sessions of Summer School.

Such activities include faculty exchange for research activities for short-term or extended

periods of time; conducting conferences, seminars, and lecture series; developing activities

with the areas of business, industry, and education in the community in which the institutions

are located. The term of this MoU shall be five academic years. Each academic year shall

begin with the Fall Semester and shall consist of the Fall (Odd) and Spring (Even).