Shillong: The University of Science and Technology Meghalaya and the North Eastern Space Applications Centre marked National Space Day 2026 with a week of scientific events. The program centered on the theme of driving India toward global space leadership. It kicked off on August 21 at the NKC Auditorium in Ri-Bhoi, Meghalaya.
Dr. Murchana Khusroo opened the proceedings. Dr. S. P. Aggarwal, Director of NESAC, delivered a keynote address to the attendees. He stated, "National Space Day is not merely a celebration of the successful Chandrayaan-3 landing, but also a reflection of India’s ability to learn from failures and continue striving for greater achievements."
The Polaris Astronomy Club displayed detailed models of rockets and past missions. They also ran telescope demonstrations and solar observation sessions. Students competed in poster, model, and astrophotography contests to show off their technical skills.
The second day brought specialized training. Dr. Khusroo led a workshop on processing solar images using multi-spacecraft data, linking to the Aditya-L1 mission. Astronomer Dr. Kishor Kumar Baruah hosted a session on the next generation of space exploration. Prof. G. D. Sharma, the USTM Vice-Chancellor, closed the event by highlighting the role of these activities in youth engagement.
USTM began operations in 2011 as the first private science and technology university in North East India. The NAAC gave the school an A Grade in 2021. The event also featured regional committee heads including Dr. B. K. Handique.
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