USTM Showcases Breakthrough AI Projects at Regional AI Impact Conference 2025
9th Mile, Khanapara, Ri-Bhoi, 4th December 2025: The University of Science & Technology Meghalaya (USTM) made a significant mark at the Regional AI Impact Conference 2025, held yesterday in Shillong. The prestigious event, organised by the Information Technology & Communication Department, Government of Meghalaya, in collaboration with the India AI Mission, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India, brought together leaders from government, academia, and industry to shape the future of Artificial Intelligence in the North East.
The conference also saw the launch of two key initiatives: the Bhashini Hackathon, promoting access to public services in Khasi and Garo through AI-driven language interfaces, and MeghDEE, a platform empowering youth to develop AI solutions for real-world governance challenges. Additionally, several MoUs were exchanged, marking transformative collaborations for the region.
USTM’s Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Prof. G. D. Sharma, was invited as a distinguished guest, marking the university’s growing role as a leading institution driving innovation and digital transformation in the region.
Students and faculty members from the Department of Computer Science and the Department of Engineering & Technology, USTM showcased four flagship AI projects, including a Skin Cancer Detection system using CNN for early screening, a Voice-Assisted Drone powered by NLP for search-and-rescue and surveillance, a Precision Agriculture model that identifies crop stress and nutrient deficiency using ML and computer vision, and an AI-based Fish Species Recognition system supported by an underwater drone for sustainable aquaculture and biodiversity assessment. These models demonstrated USTM’s growing strength in applied AI research and real-world problem solving.
The USTM stall,the only one by a private university invited by the Government of Meghalaya, was visited by senior officials, including Mr. Pravin Bakshi, IAS, Secretary, C&S IT & Communications, Government of Meghalaya, and Mr. Sudeep Srivastava, IAS, Joint Secretary, MeitY, Government of India. Both officials highly appreciated the students’ innovations, with Mr. Srivastava encouraging them to apply for the MeitY Fellowship.
In his inaugural address, Chief Minister Shri Conrad K. Sangma emphasised Meghalaya’s fast-growing position in the North East’s digital landscape. He urged all stakeholders to build a robust tech ecosystem and invest in frontier technologies, including AI and quantum computing, underscoring that Meghalaya’s young population and strong institutional partners, such as USTM, are key drivers of this progress.
As Meghalaya accelerates its technological journey, USTM stands at the forefront of nurturing talent. USTM, the first State Private University received an ‘A’ grade from the NAAC in its first assessment cycle in 2021. Recognised as the Best Private University in Northeast India, USTM continues to excel on the national stage, being the only private university from the North East to be featured in the NIRF Rankings for four consecutive years, including 2025.