It has been a long cherished dream of the Society of Franciscan Missionary Brothers North East India to venture to new areas in their Franciscan Ministry of Education. Thus, in 2008, during the Provincial Plenary Assembly held at Saint Francis Mount, Umbir; suggestions were made for establishing a Degree College at Saint Francis Mount, Siejlieh, Nongstoiñ. Accordingly, a Committee was constituted under the chairmanship of Brother Herman Wanñiang CMSF to minutely study the matter and subsequently in March 2009 a detailed Report was submitted by the Committee to the Provincial Council, favouring the establishment of the new College.
Thus, on July 1, 2010, the new College named St. Francis D’Assisi College, Siejlieh, Nongstoiñ came into being. It is named after Saint Francis D’Assisi, the Patron of the Franciscan Missionary Brothers; who is also widely acclaimed as the Patron of Ecology. The College is a Roman Catholic Christian co-educational Institution, belonging and managed by the Society of Franciscan Missionary Brothers (CMSF) – An International Charitable Society of Religious Brothers, founded by Brother Paulus Moritz of Germany, in the spirit of an Italian Saint Francis D’Assisi, a Brother par excellence.
The Government of Meghalaya, through the Directorate of Higher and Technical Education granted No Objection Certificate (NOC) to St. Francis D’Assisi College, Siejlieh, Nongstoiñ, vide Letter No. CE/OP/2009/544, Dated Shillong, the 26th November 2012. The College is affiliated to NEHU, vide Letter No. CDC/A.73/2010/805, through in-charge, College Development Council, North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Dated Shillong, the 23rd March 2017.
Why in Nongstoiñ?
Nongstoiñ is the Headquarters of the West Khasi Hills District of Meghalaya State, India. Despite being the biggest town of the District with a sizable population, there was only one Government College to cater to the needs of many students who passed out every year from various Higher Secondary Schools. Thus, the thought of giving opportunities to many students who would not have had otherwise the privilege of continuing their studies in Shillong or elsewhere, brought about the establishment of Saint Francis D’Assisi College, Siejleh, Nongstoiñ. Moreover, there is an availability of Professors in Nongstoiñ who have already pledged their support and services on a part-time basis towards the new College.
The College is self-financed by the Society of Franciscan Missionary Brothers (CMSF) and is striving to serve the people of West Khasi Hills and Meghalaya as a whole in a better way. The new College Building is getting ready and with this new infrastructure, more students could be accommodated and more facilities could be offered. Guided by the spirit of Saint Francis D’Assisi, the Patron of the College, the Franciscan Missionary Brothers strive to bring College Education within the reach of common man and woman.