Shillong, April 1: Conrad K. Sangma, Chief Minister of Meghalaya, on Wednesday presented the Meghalaya IT Awards 2026 to meritorious students for the academic year 2025 at the U Soso Tham Auditorium in Shillong.
The programme, organised by the Information Technology & Communications Department, Government of Meghalaya, was attended by Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui along with other officials.
A total of 203 students from Classes 10 and 12 were honoured for their performance in board examinations, including 131 from MBOSE, 51 from CBSE, and 21 from ICSE. Two specially-abled students were also among the awardees. Laptops were distributed to all recipients during the event.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister congratulated the students and stated that the awards recognise their academic achievements and sustained efforts. He said the laptops symbolise encouragement and support for their future endeavours.
Referring to developments in the technology sector, Sangma noted that global changes, including recent layoffs in the IT industry, also present new opportunities. He highlighted ongoing initiatives in the state, including the IT Park in Shillong, which is attracting companies working in areas such as artificial intelligence and enterprise systems.
He also spoke about the importance of building an enabling ecosystem for entrepreneurship and innovation, citing past challenges and current efforts to strengthen opportunities for youth within the state. He encouraged students to pursue their interests and contribute to Meghalaya’s development.
Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui emphasised the growing importance of digital technologies in education and daily life. He stated that the distribution of laptops would help students access digital resources and enhance their learning capabilities.
Rymbui also referred to government initiatives aimed at supporting students, including scholarship schemes and financial assistance programmes. He informed that over ₹60 crore has been allocated to provide financial support of ₹6,000 to students under various schemes.
Earlier, K. L. Nongbri, Joint Secretary, Information Technology & Communications Department, said the Meghalaya IT Awards were instituted in 2007 to promote academic excellence and support students in the field of information technology.
During the programme, Leisha Agarwal, topper of the 2025 MBOSE Class 10 examination from St Margaret’s Higher Secondary School, expressed gratitude for the recognition and said the award serves as encouragement for students to continue striving for excellence.
