The Mizoram Legislative Assembly on Wednesday passed the Mizoram State University (Amendment) Bill, relocating the proposed university’s headquarters from Aizawl to Lunglei in the southern part of the state. The move reverses last year’s decision that had designated Aizawl as the headquarters.
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Government Cites Balanced Regional Development
Introducing the Bill, Higher and Technical Education Minister Vanlalthlana said the amendment aims to correct regional development imbalances and promote equitable growth across Mizoram. According to him, establishing the headquarters in Lunglei will strengthen educational infrastructure in southern districts while ensuring inclusive progress.
The Minister clarified that the amendment involves a change of site rather than a physical relocation. “The headquarters had not been fully established in Aizawl; only the site had been surveyed. The centre is not being shifted but changed,” he told the House.
He also stated that the decision followed sustained representations from residents of Lunglei, Champhai and Mamit districts, who had sought a more balanced distribution of higher education institutions.
University to Function in Cluster Mode
The proposed Mizoram State University will operate in a “cluster mode,” bringing several existing colleges under a unified administrative framework. Under this model, affiliated colleges across districts will function as constituent units of the university.
Although the government had already initiated the creation of staff posts and started the process of appointing a Vice-Chancellor and Registrar, officials maintained that administrative restructuring remains in progress and will align with the amended plan.
Importantly, the government assured that Aizawl will continue to play a key academic role. Several departments and schools of the proposed university will operate from colleges in Aizawl, as originally envisaged.
Opposition Questions Timing of Decision
While the Opposition supported the Bill, members raised concerns over the timing of the reversal. Some alleged that the government reconsidered its 2025 decision under pressure from non-governmental organisations and ruling party legislators representing southern constituencies.
BJP legislator K. Hrahmo claimed that the government reviewed its earlier stance after legislators from Lunglei reportedly threatened to resign. However, treasury bench members rejected the allegation and defended the amendment as a policy decision based on long-term development goals.
Chief Minister Reassures Stakeholders
Chief Minister Lalduhoma sought to allay concerns regarding Aizawl’s academic standing. He emphasised that shifting the headquarters to Lunglei would not diminish the capital city’s importance in higher education.
Instead, he described the cluster model as a balanced approach that would distribute academic opportunities more evenly while preserving Aizawl’s established institutional base.
Focus on Inclusive Higher Education
The passage of the Amendment Bill marks a significant step in reshaping Mizoram’s higher education landscape. By situating the headquarters in Lunglei, the government aims to stimulate growth in the southern region while maintaining academic collaboration across districts.
As the state moves forward with implementing the revised plan, education stakeholders will closely watch how the cluster model unfolds in practice. The government, meanwhile, has reiterated its commitment to expanding access to quality higher education and fostering regional equity in Mizoram.
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