Martin Luther Christian University

Politicising an Educational Institution

By: Alumni Forum, Martin Luther Christian University

The present imbroglio over the status of Martin Luther Christian University and the proceeding insinuations about irregularities in its functioning by some overtly vested section has indeed kicked up a much unwarranted storm. It is extremely sad and unfortunate that such a young university which has not even completed 10 years is being scrutinized in such a negative vein with certain individuals trying to hog the limelight and having a field day trying to ensure the failure and gradual closure of the university. It is in such a situation that the alumni of the university feel the need to tell our side of the story, highlight a few points to ease the concern and dilemma of the public in general and present MLCU students and their parents in particular.

In response to an RTI seeking information regarding MLCU filed to UGC, the Commission in its 15th February 2008 reply stated that “Martin Luther Christian University, Shillong is a Private University which has been established by an Act of State Legislature of Meghalaya and is empowered to award degrees specified under Section 22 of the UGC Act, 1956. The University is not a fake university”.

A five-member team conducted an inspection of the University on 15-16 April 2008 and made certain specific recommendations. These recommendations can be seen at the UGC website www.ugc.ac.in. The major recommendations made by the team deputed by UGC have been significantly met with and it is therefore very wrong on the part of our detractors to raise their acrimonious arguments based on recommendations made way back in 2008. After the inspection, on 15 March 2011, a compliance report was sent to UGC by the University. Eventually, the UGC, in its letter to MLCU dated 22 March 2011 requested MLCU to update its Directory. Official correspondences have always existed between the University and UGC. The University was assigned a UNIVERSITY CODE (284) by UGC in a letter dated 22 March 2011. Now, our question is, if the University is not recognized by UGC as insinuated by some people, how was the University assigned a code?

It is bewildering to note that so many educated individuals are still bent on trying to obliterate the reputation of the University. In case the University is not producing efficient manpower and professionals, it should definitely be put to task and held accountable. The alumni are living testimony of what the University has been capable of achieving during a very short span of just 5 years.  Most of the alumni are placed in various government and non government sectors. Every government and non government undertakings have no qualms in accepting students from MLCU. Students have cleared the NET/JRF examination conducted by UGC. A point to be noted is that the NET/JRF examination is exclusively conducted by UGC. If MLCU is not recognized by UGC, how were the alumni awarded NET/JRF certificates by UGC? How are the Research Scholars pursuing Ph.D in Central Universities given fellowship/scholarship under UGC? How were they even accepted by the Central Universities in the first place if MLCU were not recognized?

We would also like to present a few empirical success stories of former students who passed out from the University. Mangcha Touthang, (Social Work Department) UGC-JRF holder pursuing PhD in Mizoram University; Ingenuity Swer (Performing Arts), UGC-JRF pursuing Ph.D at MLCU; NET holders who have passed from MLCU are Wadahun Kharlukhi, Vunghauniang, and  Iaikymaw Buam; Parama Deb, Registered PhD in Nirmala Niketan, University of Mumbai; Darinylla Icarias & Larisa B Hynniewta,  pursuing MSW at Alva College & St. Aloysius College, Mangalore University;  Kamzason, MA  Life Skills,  Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Youth Development, Chennai;  Ibanrishisha, MSW,  Madras Christian College; Bala Pynkmen Shadap, Lecturer, Dept. of Music, St. Anthony’s  College; Priyo Laloo & Senjistar Nongkynrih, Jaintia Percussion Instructors, Dept. of Arts & Culture, Govt. of Meghalaya; Banrapborlang Marwein, Ailadshisha Lyngdoh, Ibakorlin Nongsteng,  Esterlin Mawthoh (MLT) NEIGRHIMS;   Bishar Malang (MIT) NEIGRIHMS; Carefully Tiewsoh (MLT) NRHM, Kamal Hasan (Optometrist) GMC, Assam; Isable Kurkalang (MLT) & Banshembha Kharumnuid (MIT) Civil Hospital, Shillong; Lambha Nongkhlaw, Data Manager, Sanjib Iswary, Dist. Mobiliser, Deigratia Pakyntein, Christi Najiar & Virginia Malngiang, Adolescent Counselors, NRHM; Tzuden Wati, Research Faculty, Mahatma Gandhi Centre of Social Work, IGNOU, Nagaland; Imlitula Jamir, Akuovinuo, Land Resource Dept. Govt. of Nagaland; Reuben Hangshing & Lalditpui Hmar, Counselors, ICTC, Govt. of Manipur. This list is not exhaustive. It presents just a gist of students’ accomplishments. Details of other achievements and laurels can always be enquired and verified by anyone interested to know more about MLCU. We are proud to tell the world that alumni are working in many government and non government agencies in all states of the North East and other parts of mainland India.

At the moment many of the alumni are also pursuing post graduate studies in premier institutes:  MBA in NEHU, Army Institute of Management and Technology, Guru Gobind Indraprastha University, Nagaland University, Bangalore University, West Bengal University of Technology; MA in Gender Studies, Pune University to name just a handful.   It is noteworthy to highlight the fact that 8 students from MLCU were among the 1000 students from all over the country to receive the UGC Merit Scholarship (Shillong Times dated 25 May 2011). Many alumni have found employment with various government and non government sectors like National Rural Health Mission, State Civil Hospitals, Central & State Govt. Hospitals, Mission Hospitals, Social Welfare Departments, State Aids Control Societies, Indian Council of Social Science Research, Central Universities, ICTCs, Christian Medical Association of India, North East Diagnostic Centre, schools and colleges, etc. as Counselors, Programme managers, Coordinators, CDPOs, Medical Lab Technologists, Medical Imaging Technologists, Surgical Technologists, Medical Social Workers, Lecturers, Research Assistants, Supervisors, etc. These former students were accepted into the various government and non government departments, universities, and institutes for advanced studies without any problem or hindrance.

As former students of the University, we can vouch the trustworthiness and the kind of quality learning that the University has given us. We are living testimonies to our claims. Hundreds of students have passed out from the University and hundreds of students are currently enrolled. If the detractors, who seem to be individuals with extraordinary expertise in education, are to have their way, maybe they can come up with novel ideas on how to give the kind of education that MLCU is offering. Maybe the detractors have something up their sleeves on ways to accommodate these students or find an alternative for them due to the simple fact that if one is so brilliant in kicking up a controversy, one has to be outstanding in finding the solution. If they do have a solution, we do ask them to come out in the open instead of asking for open debates or confrontation which we feel is demeaning of our standards and reputation.

Martin Luther Christian University has been selflessly working towards imparting quality education through experiential learning. It is just not fair to try to tarnish the image of the University due to some misinformation, inadequate knowledge, grudge, cheap publicity stunts, half baked truths, or for whatever reasons – known and unknown. Since its inception, MLCU has always been assaulted with false accusations. It is worth noticing that such accusations have always been timed to coincide mostly with the time of admissions to the University or when the University achieves some recognition. However, the University has functioned without much of a hitch and has progressed well irrespective of the brick walls it occasionally comes up against and has succeeded in producing the best and most sought after professionals in various fields.

As members of the Alumni Forum, it is quite unpleasant and downright abhorring to see educational institutions being politicized, especially ours. The fact that we have so many skeptics may be an indication that we are doing something very right. A Khasi saying, “A fruit bearing tree will always attract stones” may after all hold true in this case. However,   please spare us the brickbats. Our ardent request is, even if you have to throw the brickbats at us, please wrap it with a bouquet. Please leave us out of the humdrum nuances of your politics. What you have done and what you wished to do will not deter us from doing what we do best…….SHINING THE LIGHT OF TRUTH!!!

Sd/- President

MLCU ALUMNI FORUM

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Address: Martin Luther Christian University

KJPA Conference Centre, Central Ward

Shillong – 793001

(This article is published in Shillong papers on Thursday September 22, 2011)