MoU inked for Meghalaya-Aus youth prog

Shillong: A roundtable event was hosted on Tuesday in Melbourne, Australia, marking the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Avenues, Meghalaya and Young Change Agents, as the first knowledge-exchange in entrepreneurship education with indigenous youth between Australia and India.“This unique Australian-Indian partnership between two youth-focussed organisations, Young Change Agents and AVENUES Meghalaya, aims to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two nations through innovation education and global learning pathways,” an official statement said on Wednesday.The key partnership objectives are to build entrepreneurial education pathways for Meghalaya and NE indigenous youth, initiate opportunities for collaboration in talent identification and cultural exchange for indigenous youth across the two countries, plan and operationalise a pilot programme among youth in Meghalaya and to drive entrepreneurial skill sets programmes for indigenous communities, the statement highlighted.Mark Laitflang Stone, founder and CEO, AVENUES Meghalaya, said, “This event is a historic moment in the Northeast India region’s youth development narrative. It marks the first knowledge-exchange intervention for entrepreneurship education for indigenous youth between our nations. Working with Young Change Agents will help us to spark entrepreneurial mindsets in our indigenous youth, in ways where youth build their confidence and realise what is truly possible.”Sushil Kumar, Consul General of India, Victoria, Australia, said, “India and Australia have long shared a dynamic and multifaceted relationship extending across various sectors, including education and skills development. The collaboration in these areas is not just beneficial but essential for fostering innovation, enhancing economic growth and addressing the challenges of the 21st century.”CM Conrad K Sangma also wished the association through a virtual address, saying, “I am delighted to learn that Meghalaya’s AVENUES is signing an MoU with Young Change Agents, Australia in Melbourne. I have been given to understand that this partnership is aimed at introducing globally recognized entrepreneurial mindsets, skill sets and tool sets to youth and educators in Meghalaya and northeast India through a sustained series of interventions over a two-year period.”

Bodies of two youths found

Panic in Bharhara and nearby villages as bodies of two youths, Sanjay Bharatiya and Sandeep Bharatiya, were found under mysterious circumstances. The deceased had no injury marks and the cause of death will be determined by the autopsy report.

13 species of waterbirds spotted in Meghalaya

Meghalaya forest department, in collaboration with Khasi Hills Wildlife Division and Meghalaya Biodiversity Board, conducted Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) at Umsaw, Umbir, Umniuh, Mawlyndep, and Umiam Lake in Ri-Bhoi district on February 2. 155 waterbirds, comprising 13 species were spotted and studied. AWC is part of International Waterbird Census (IWC) done yearly between January and February.