Press Release from (SPURC)
Regulatory Commission directs operating universities to commence their academic activities within the assigned constituencies duly abiding by the mandates of the Sikkim Private Universities Act 2025
Gangtok, September 2 : In a day-long meeting, the Sikkim Private Universities Regulatory Commission (SPURC), in coordination with the Higher Education Department, Government of Sikkim, had a detailed discussion and deliberation for establishing a buoyant and dynamic higher education eco- system in the State.
The proceedings were presided over by the Hon'ble Chairperson of SPURC, Ms Ganga D. Pradhan, and attended by the Hon'ble Members of the Commission, Mr Zigmee Bhutia and Mr Palden Dorjee Lama, together with Mr Ujjwal Rai, Special Secretary and Director, Higher Education Department, and Mr Sonam Chopel, Additional Director, Higher Education Department.
Two New Proposals were throughly examined:
The morning session was devoted to presentations by the sponsoring bodies of the two proposed institutions, Soreng Horizon University and Himalayan Skill University. Each set out the rationale for establishing a university in Sikkim, its vision, mission and strategic objectives, and the credentials of its sponsoring body, including registration particulars, governance structure, prior educational experience and financial capacity. Both proposals were accompanied by phase-wise roadmaps for campus development, land procurement and capital investment, and by academic plans spanning undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, doctoral and skill-oriented programmes across several faculties. Appropriate directions have been issued for compliance to the mandates of the Sikkim Private Universities(Establishment and Regulation Act 2025)
Afternoon Session: Ten Operating Universities namely Matrix Skill Tech University, Khangchendzonga Buddhist University, Management & Information Technology University, Sengol International University, Gurukul Vidyapeeth University, Sikkim Sardar Patel University, Sri Venkateshwara University, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Skill University, Sikkim Pannadhay University and Shri Rukmani Dwarkadhish University of Science & Technology, were examined one by one on academic programmes, regulatory approvals, admission protocols, faculty strength, physical infrastructure and overall statutory compliance.
The Commission's foremost concern is the establishment of permanent campuses within the constituencies allotted to each university.
The Hon'ble Member, Mr Zigmee Bhutia, went further, directing the universities to cease forthwith all operations conducted from locations outside their allotted constituencies. Any activity being carried on from a non-allocated constituency, he stated, is to be halted immediately.
In closing, the Hon'ble Chairperson directed the universities concerned to take immediate corrective action on every issue identified and to submit detailed compliance reports, complete with implementation timelines, setting out the measures taken.
The meeting was also attended by Ms Nima Donka Tamang, Senior Lecturer, Higher Education Department, and Mr Hemant Dhungel, APC, Higher Education Department.
