Shillong, 15th Feb. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was inked on February 13, 2024, between the North Eastern Council (NEC) Shillong, Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Shillong, and the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) to extend the operations of the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Policy Research and Analysis.
The signing ceremony took place at the NEC Secretariat in Shillong, with MDoNER joining via weblink.
The MoU, signed by Angshuman Dey, Joint Secretary of MDoNER, Moses K Chalai, Secretary of NEC, and Prof. D.P Goyal, Director of IIM Shillong, signifies a collaborative effort to deepen engagement and bolster research initiatives in the North East region.
Established through a tripartite agreement in 2016, the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Policy Research and Analysis serves as a pivotal center to facilitate strategic planning, innovation, and the execution of projects in the North East. The center aims to promote socio-economic development, advance best practices, and foster a culture of innovation within the region.
During the ceremony, Prof. D.P Goyal, Director of IIM Shillong, lauded the legacy of late President Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam and underscored the center’s commitment to advancing his vision of development. He emphasized the significant strides made by the center in recent years and expressed optimism about the extended MoU fostering stronger ties between the participating agencies.
Moses Chalai, Secretary of NEC, commended the center’s progress and urged continued focus on policy deliberations aligned with the region’s aspirations. He expressed satisfaction with the completion of the administrative building sponsored by MDoNER through NEC and called for a formal inauguration of the center.
Chanchal Kumar, Secretary of MDoNER, extended best wishes to the center, envisioning its emergence as a vital think tank for the region. He proposed the introduction of North East Development Fellows through the Dr. Kalam Centre to enhance administrative capabilities and governance in the region, pledging unwavering support from MDoNER.
Atul Kulkarni, Member of the Board of Governors at IIM Shillong, emphasized the center’s pivotal role in addressing regional aspirations across various sectors. He highlighted the center’s significance in promoting entrepreneurship, policy development, and training, thereby facilitating effective governance.
With the extension of the MoU, the Dr. Kalam Centre is poised to intensify its efforts across key areas, including training, research, policy advocacy, knowledge dissemination, and civic engagement. The center’s objectives encompass promoting sustainable development, fostering innovation, and harnessing the true growth potential of the North East region through collaborative endeavors.
