Guwahati: The Assam government has taken a significant step in enhancing its higher education landscape by introducing Bills for the establishment of three new universities and proposing amendments to the Acts governing eight existing ones ¹. Education Minister Ranoj Pegu presented these Bills in the House, marking a major development in the state’s education sector.
One of the Bills proposes the setting up of the EdTech Skills University, a private university focused on advancing learning, assessment, and research in line with the New Education Policy. Sponsored by World Education Mission, the proposed institute will be located in Tinsukia. The other two Bills propose the establishment of Swami Vivekanand University and Maa Kamakhya University, both of which aim to promote higher education, advanced learning, and research.
The ‘Assam Private Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2025’ imposes restrictions on varsities from involving in any activities relating to conversion of students, faculties, and other staff. It also proposes that universities shall not open new technical, medical, para-medical, nursing, and other technical courses related to agriculture, veterinary, dairy, and other allied subjects with effect from April 1, 2025. Additionally, the Bill proposes security clearance reports and provisions for inspection of universities by the state government.
The minister also introduced Bills proposing amendments to the Acts governing eight existing universities, including North Lakhimpur University, Kokrajhar University, and Sibsagar University. These Bills propose that the first vice-chancellor of these varsities will be appointed by the state government, with the chancellor appointing subsequent VCs on the recommendation of an advisory board.
Overall, these Bills mark a significant development in Assam’s education sector, aiming to promote higher education, research, and innovation in the state.
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