The University of Science & Technology Meghalaya (USTM) welcomed its newly admitted Ph.D. scholars of the 2025 (B) batch with an energising Orientation Programme today. Held at the Conference Hall, Block-A, on the university’s scenic Techno City campus in 9th Mile, Baridua, the event aimed to familiarise students with USTM’s academic culture, research expectations, and available resources.
The programme began with a warm welcome address from Prof. G.D. Sharma, USTM’s Hon’ble Vice Chancellor. A renowned scientist in education and life sciences, Prof. Sharma encouraged the scholars to pursue research with integrity and creativity. He highlighted the evolving nature of education, saying, “Once you come up with modern ideas, the university will supply you with support. Modern technology applications are thankfully available in all branches.” He also discussed the 170 patents published over the last two years and invited scholars to explore innovative startups, noting that in-depth data is more valuable than generalised information.
The first session featured keynote addresses by Dr. Suktilang Majaw, Associate Professor at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong, who spoke on research ethics. She stressed the importance of originality, integrity, and quality, stating, “When you’re in the lab, kindness and collaboration matter just as much as the science.” She further said, “Autonomy is not about using authority, but it is about having the capacity to choose to use morality,” and concluded, “A Ph.D. is not just about the degree; it can propel you to be the CEO of your own company.”
Dr. Sambit Mallick from IIT Guwahati discussed the democratisation of research and ethical reasoning, noting, “Democracy loses its meaning without the ability to question,” and challenged scholars with, “Why is India’s purchasing power lower compared to Western countries?” Dr. Azmol Hussain Barbhuiya, USTM’s Academic Registrar, detailed the university’s commitment to research excellence.
The day concluded with a photo session, lunch, and departmental visits, allowing scholars to connect with mentors and familiarise themselves with research environments.