USTM welcomes new Ph.D. scholars with a call for innovation and ethics

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 30, 2025

The University of Science & Technology Meghalaya (USTM) welcomed its newly admitted Ph.D. scholars of the 2025 (B) batch with an orientation programme at the Techno City campus in Baridua, 9th Mile. The event familiarised scholars with the university’s academic culture, research expectations, and available resources.

Vice Chancellor Prof. G.D. Sharma urged scholars to pursue research with integrity and creativity, highlighting USTM’s 170 patents over the past two years and more than a dozen startups. He emphasised that modern research requires the application of knowledge alongside innovative ideas and assured scholars of the university’s full support.

Dr. Suktilang Majaw of NEHU addressed research ethics, stressing originality, integrity, and collaboration, especially in the age of AI. She said, “Kindness and collaboration matter just as much as the science,” and added, “A Ph.D. is not just a degree; it can propel you to be the CEO of your own company.”

Dr. Sambit Mallick of IIT Guwahati highlighted the importance of critical thinking and ethical reasoning in research, noting, “Democracy loses its meaning without the ability to question,” and posed thought-provoking questions about India’s economic context.

Dr. Azmol Hussain Barbhuiya, USTM’s Academic Registrar, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to research excellence.

The programme concluded with a photo session, lunch, and departmental visits, allowing scholars to engage with mentors and familiarise themselves with their research environments. The orientation set a positive and inspiring tone for the new batch, emphasising innovation, ethics, and academic rigor at USTM.