ERD FOUNDATION-GUWAHATI
“The Largest Institutional Network of Higher & Technical Education in NE Region”

Education Research and Development Foundation (ERDF) is the largest & fastest growing educational network in the North Eastern region, catering education from KG to PG by successfully running 2 CBSE Schools, 2 Professional Colleges, one Engineering College, an University and a Centre for Coaching & Guidance. Today, under ERDF group of institutions more than 5500 students are studying in various disciplines and around 650 human resources are engaged in the foundation. It was established in the year 2005 under the Chairmanship of young & dynamic entrepreneur MahbubulHoque, a Post Graduate in Computer Application from Aligarh Muslim University.

ERDF is a trust under the provisions of the Indian Trust Act 1882 and is registered as per the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 (No RS/MAM/240/A-2/A-2/272 of 206) constituted by the members from minority community. It has been also certified under section 12-A & 80-G of the Income Tax Act. The head office of the foundation is located at ERDF Bhawan, Sijubari Road, Guwahati-780 038, Assam.

It was envisaged that ERDF would lay added emphasis on the development of the weaker sections of the society through proper education targeted towards attainment of self-reliance and self-sufficiency. Education and its application towards societal development and upliftment require proper focus on research orientation and application. Hence ERDF encompasses all such activities which establish a meaningful correlation between Education Research & Development.

ERDF has today emerged as the premier educational network of NE India. Its first college, Central IT College is the second best study centre of Sikkim Manipal University in entire India. In 2007, ERDF established the Regional College of Higher Education in Guwahati, the first college affiliated to the oldest Central University of the region, the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong, Meghalaya, creating a niche for itself by excelling and getting top positions in all the examinations conducted by NEHU.

In the year 2008, ERDF set up the Central Public School at Patharkandi, a rural border area of Karimganj District with CBSE affiliation. This school is providing quality to the deprived and under privileges children of the rural areas at an affordable cost. Another such school was inaugurated by His Excellency Shri R. S. Mooshahary, Governor of Meghalaya on 21st January, 2010 at Badarpur.

In the year 2009, ERDF has started a state of the art Engineering College namely Regional Institute of Science & Technology (RIST) at 9th Mile, Meghalaya approved by AICTE, New Delhi and affiliated to NEHU, Shillong offering B.Tech courses in six branches & going to start M.Tech courses shortly. This institute has emerged as one of the very few institutes of the region with world class infrastructure.

ERDF Junior College was also established at Badarpur in Karimganj District of Assam in the year 2011 under Assam Higher Secondary Education Council.

One of the most ambitious projects of ERDF, the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya (USTM) was established in 400 acres of picturesque landscape surrounded by tranquilled greenery in the Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya just one km from G S Road, Baridua, 9th mile. USTM was established under the provisions of the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya Act (No.6 of 2008) enacted by Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya State. USTM is the first State Private University on Science & Technology in the entire North East India. With more than two years of focused study on the educational needs of the region by leading Academicians, Scientists and a group of Vice Chancellors and educational administrators of the region, USTM has started its systematic academic process. The first Academic Session of the University was started in the year, 2011. Several courses/ programmes including Ph.D under its various Schools on emerging areas of Biological Sciences, Science & Technology, Social Science & Humanities, Economics, Commerce & Business Sciences, Library Science, Education, Media & Cultural Sciences is being introduced along with a number of interdisciplinary subjects to be offered by Independent Centers including Centre for International Studies. Recommendations made by all statutory bodies, UGC and MHRD has been adhered to by USTM. It is about 85 kms from Shillong, the Capital of Meghalaya & 6 kms from Dispur, the Capital of Assam. The campus is well connected by Rail & Air which is only 15 kms from Guwahati Railway Station & 35 kms from Guwahati International Airport.

Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Centre for Coaching and Guidance (FACC) and "HOQUE 20" is the latest step of ERD Foundation towards capacity building of our young graduates aspiring for IAS, GATE, NET & other competitive examinations conducted by UPSC and other government agencies.

ERD Foundation, Guwahati has added the latest feather to its cap by establishing KhairunNessa Begum Women's College, Srigouri, Badarpur in KarimganjDistict of Assam which is affiliated to Assam University, Silchar. The college started functioning from academic year 2015 in Arts stream.

ERDF has hosted a large number National and International seminars, Conferences and Workshops on topics of current significance.

For initiating different R&D activities ERDF has already signed MoUs with different national & international organizations such as CSIR-NEIST; CRRI, New Delhi; Bamboo & Cane Development Institute; Starmass Environment Technologies Corporation, USA; Hi-Tech Education Centre, Ireland; Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and NIIT Ltd. Collaborations with other national & international organizations & Universities are also under process.

The foundation has also different publications like Journals, Souvenirs, News Letters & Magazines which are released time to time.

ERDF has established a Centre for Educational Rehabilitation to shelter different strife affected students irrespective of caste or community to bring peace, unity & harmony through Education. Out of total 14000 affected students of recent BTAD violence, more than 400 students have been already rehabilitated in the first phase by adopting in the residential schools under the Foundation for free education & also by different institutions & 115+ higher educational students have been offered scholarships, another 2000+ affected students are in pipeline for next academic session to be adopted outside the state.

Apart from these, the foundation has initiated lots of other welfare activities like Free education to poor meritorious students, Scholarships, Endowment Funds, Fellowships, Emergency treatment & medical assistance for poor, Interest free Loans, Awareness Campaigns & rallies/street plays, Relief drives, All religion prayer meetings etc.