SHILLONG : The Meghalaya Cabinet has approved bills for two new private universities and cleared amendments to the laws governing three existing universities, alongside a proposal to repeal the International Open University Act, 2011.
The decisions were taken at the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday on matters concerning the Education Department.
The Cabinet approved the Sister Nivedita University, Meghalaya Bill, 2026, proposing a university at Byrnihat, and the Khasi Jaintia Presbyterian University, Meghalaya Bill, 2026, proposing a university at Sohiong.
The Cabinet also cleared amendments to the Maharashtra Institute of Technology of Meghalaya Act and the Mahatma Gandhi University Act.
Under the proposed amendments, the Governor will become the Visitor of both universities instead of the Visitor being nominated by the sponsoring body.
The government said the change is intended to bring the two university Acts in line with University Grants Commission requirements.
The amendments will also increase government representation on the governing bodies. Government members on the Board of Management will rise from one to two, while representation on the Board of Governors will increase from two to three.
The Cabinet separately approved amendments to the Martin Luther Christian University Act.
The proposed changes will restrict the university’s operations to Meghalaya, remove its provision for distance education and withdraw its power to affiliate colleges.
The government said these provisions are not permitted under the regulatory framework applicable to private universities.
Another Cabinet decision was to repeal the International Open University Act, 2011.The Act had remained non-functional until 2022. The government said individuals later came forward with a power of attorney, after which a dispute emerged.
The Cabinet decided to repeal the legislation after finding that the university’s proposed name was not compliant with UGC norms.
According to the government, the combined use of “International” and “Open University” in the proposed name was not permitted under the applicable regulations.
