Governor asks Sikkim universities to expand community work and strengthen academics

Governor Om Prakash Mathur chaired a meeting in Gangtok with vice chancellors and registrars of universities in the State. The meeting was attended by Education Minister Raju Basnet, senior officials from the Lok Bhavan and representatives from the Education and Women, Child, Senior Citizen and Divyangjan departments, along with representatives of other educational institutions.

Focus on quality education, NEP and outreach

Officials discussed the functioning of universities and steps to enhance the quality of education. The meeting also covered implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the way universities can support wider national and community goals such as Viksit Bharat 2047 and the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ initiative.

During the session, vice chancellors and registrars shared presentations on achievements, available infrastructure, challenges and future plans. The Governor then advised the Education department and ministerial officials to closely monitor administrative and academic functioning across universities, with an emphasis on transparency, accountability and adherence to academic standards.

The Governor suggested that universities should adopt villages or blocks and encourage students to join development activities with rural communities. He said this kind of engagement can help students become responsible citizens and support meaningful contribution to society.

Universities to connect research with local priorities

He also urged universities to help develop adopted areas based on local needs. In his guidance, universities should not limit their work to their campuses, but should extend their impact in fields such as education, health, environment and livelihoods. He further encouraged institutions to use their research and academic work in ways that can support Sikkim’s priorities, including tourism, environmental conservation and organic farming.

The meeting also discussed the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision and the role of students in carrying it forward. Alongside that, the Governor called for outreach through ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’, asking universities to run programmes that help spread awareness in coordination with local communities. The Education Minister directed university heads to strictly follow the Sikkim Private Universities (Establishment and Regulation) Act, 2025, and to complete campus and other ongoing projects within the stipulated timeframe.