CoEFL at NU begins with Japanese language courses

KOHIMA — Chief Secretary of Nagaland Dr. J Alam on Monday inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for Foreign Languages (CoEFL), Nagaland University (NU), which will commence with Japanese language courses at the Kohima campus.

The CoEFL is currently offering a six-month diploma certificate course in Japanese language to the first batch of 33 students.

Addressing the gathering, Alam said the CoEFL is supported by an innovative fund under the Planning and Transformation department. He noted that the funding from the department is not regular and suggested establishing a regular funding budget through the Higher Education department.

Expressing hopes that the centre will eventually offer courses in additional foreign languages, Alam noted that the state’s partnership with Japan is strengthening over time, with both sides collaborating to build skilled manpower and emphasised the need to maintain the quality of the programmes and courses offered.

Prof. Pangersenla Walling, head of the department of Linguistics, said on the occasion that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between NU and the Japanese Ambassador to India on December 5, 2023, for the university to provide Japanese language education.

She said the major objective of the MoU is to establish Nagaland as a hub for foreign language learning through the implementation of the COEFL, with the department of linguistics as the host department.

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It will not only offer students a wider range of educational courses but also foster youth employment opportunities both domestically and internationally, she said, adding that it will offer two types of certificates: one for students who want to learn Japanese language and culture, and another for those seeking jobs in Japan.

She further informed that the majority of the fund will be used for fee subsidies.

Pro Vice Chancellor of Nagaland University, Kohima Campus, Prof. GT Thong; Joint Secretary of IDAN, Reny Wilfred; and educational and HR head of ARMS-Incorporation (a Japanese language training provider), Bur Sanen, also addressed the inaugural programme.