Nagaland to phase out single-stream colleges, says Director of Higher Education

KOHIMA — In a move to enhance the quality of higher education, Nagaland will phase out stand-alone and single-stream institutions in favour of vibrant multidisciplinary ones.

This announcement was made by Dr A Nshoga, Director of Higher Education, Government of Nagaland, during his address at the All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) 45th Foundation Day-cum-degree topper felicitation programme in Kohima, on Friday.

Dr. Nshoga said the shift is aimed at providing high-quality multidisciplinary and cross-multidisciplinary teaching, learning and research across various fields.

He said that Nagaland currently has 101 higher education institutions (HEIs), including one central university, four private universities, 71 colleges (17 government and 54 private), and two institutions of national importance — NIT and NIELIT.

The state also has nine B.Ed. colleges — two government and seven private — three professional law colleges, one nursing school, four science colleges, and 28 theological colleges.

6 model colleges proposed

The director admitted that the state has low Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of 18.8% compared to the national average of 28.4%, attributing it to student migration, lack of multidisciplinary colleges and inadequate infrastructure.

To address this, the government has proposed establishing six more model colleges under the PM-USHA initiative, aiming for at least one Higher Education institution per district, he said.

Furthermore, Dr. Nshoga informed that 35 out of 69 colleges affiliated with Nagaland University have permanent affiliation, while 33 have 2 and 12UGC status.

Five colleges offer postgraduate programmes, and out of the 71 colleges in the state, 37 colleges (13 government and 24 private) have received NAAC accreditation and are moving towards the Binary Accreditation system.

He added that there are 641 teachers in government colleges, and recruitment processes are ongoing to bring more teachers into the classrooms.

The director highlighted the ambitious goals set by the NEP 2020, stating that it envisions a GER of 50% by 2035, soaring to 3000 by 2040. To achieve this, he said the Higher Education department is aiming to transform institutions into multidisciplinary hubs, with larger student enrolment, to make optimal use of resources and infrastructure while creating multidisciplinary communities.

The goal is to create a unified higher education landscape, seamlessly blending professional and vocational education, which would eventually merge into one coherent higher education ecosystem within the state, he added.

Dr. Nshoga revealed that the department is seeking financial grants through the PM-USHA projects from the Ministry of Higher Education. He also acknowledged the challenges posed by faculty strength and salary components, while assuring that the department has implemented measures like SLQAC, AAA, and IQAC at different levels to maintain quality education standards.

Further, the state government has constituted the Nagaland State Council for Higher Education (NSCHE) with the objective of forging relationships between universities and colleges, and regulatory bodies under the ΝΕΡ 2020 ecosystem.

Govt. colleges to be digitised

He said the department is taking an initiative to digitalise all the government colleges, provide financial assistance to the private colleges under GIA, upgrade the student’s Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) systems, and introduce Open Distance Learning (ODL) programmes.

To address the challenges presented by the NEP 2020 and further promote skill development and internship programmes, he said that the Cabinet has already approved guidelines for private universities, paving the way for numerous institutions to establish themselves within the state.

Highlighting the NEP 2020 curriculum, he mentioned the signing of MoUs with skill development agencies like NIT, IBM, INFOSYS, UNNATI Foundation, Salesforce, and the Aviation industry.

Dr. Nshoga reiterated the NEP’s core focus on nurturing critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving and that it empowers students to choose their academic paths by selecting subjects aligned with their passions and talents.

The policy also prioritises teacher training and professional development as key drivers for elevating the quality of education in India. However, its ultimate success depends on a collective effort, relying on the commitment and collaboration of policymakers, educators, and learners alike, he said.

The director concluded with a call to action for the student body, urging them to champion the quality and standards of higher education. Stating that the future of these institutions rests in their hands, he urged them to strive for excellence and uphold the UGC guidelines to maintain high standards in Nagaland.

He also lauded the exceptional achievements of the student toppers and encouraged them to continue striving for academic excellence and to use their talents to make a positive impact on their communities and the nation as a whole.

The event also witnessed speeches from Medovi Rhi, President of Naga Students’ Federation, who reminded students of the rapidly changing world, urging them to embrace adaptability, innovation, and determination to navigate future complexities while pursuing their aspirations.

ANCSU president Tenyesilo Bukh informed that 21 students from Nagaland University, 33 from autonomous colleges, and seven from polytechnic institutions were felicitated on the occasion.