A Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 5
The 4th convocation of Nagaland University was held Saturday, December 5, with the Governor of Nagaland PB Acharya as the chief guest and chief minister of Nagaland TR Zeliang as the guest of honor. The event was conducted at the SASRD, Medziphema campus.
Acharya while addressing the student community on the day said that universities should be the centre of knowledge. He however said the present situation demanded that universities remain not only as the centre of knowledge should also become the nodal agency for development while the students should be motivated for shouldering social responsibilities. Every educated youth empowered with the knowledge has a greater social responsibility and his education should not be self centered but social oriented, said PB Acharya.
Acharya who is also the chief rector of Nagaland University congratulated the students who were awarded with various degrees and gold medals. “We look to you for carrying on the good work required to build our Nation and to make it strong and self-sufficient and self reliant”, he maintained.
Reminding the students that getting a degree was the beginning of life, Acharya urged upon the students to be committed, dedicated and hardworking stating that learning is a lifelong process. “Do not think that once you have attained your degree you are done with learning, Youths coming out of Universities should be employable/entrepreneurs”, he observed.
On the occasion P.B Acharya said that Nagaland University has made great strides in various fields of teaching and research ever since its establishment. He disclosed that Nagaland University had adopted a total of 12 villages and imparted regular training to 13,822 beneficiaries in more than 34 villages of the state with the focus on livelihood improvement of rural people by creating interface with government departments.
Acharya admitted that Universities are centers of knowledge yet felt that the present situation demands that universities remains not only centers of knowledge but Nodal Agencies for development. He further impressed on the need for constructive dialogue between the Industry/Commerce/Trade and Universities.
Chief Minister Nagaland T.R Zeliang who graced the occasion as guest of honor, expressed happiness over the fact that Nagaland University was finally emerging out of its troubled past and steadily improving administratively and academically.
“During the last 21 years of its existence, the University has made significant contribution in shaping the contours and quality of higher education in the state, which in turn has broadened the horizons of the youth of our state”, Zeliang said. Congratulating the teachers and staffs of the university, he said that all achievements has been possible because of their hard work and commitment.
TR Zeliang observed that although Nagaland University is a central University, it still lacks in many areas and felt that issues like infrastructural inadequacies, University administration, academic quality, relevancy of curriculum and quality of research works etc needs to be collectively addressed.
Zeliang reminded the University to introspect on what it has achieved in the last 21 years of its existence and also to ponder on how they can be addressed for the growth and development of the University.
Mentioning about the youthful English speaking population, T.R Zeliang suggested if the University could review its courses and syllabi to make them more relevant to the needs of the 21st century so as to equip the students and graduates for the increasingly competitive market.
While congratulating the graduates, Zeliang urged upon them to utilize their knowledge for improving the quality of life of our people. He desired that they become the pioneers and torch bearers to bring in fresh and new ideas in the areas of development and social reforms. “I want you to become agents of change for the betterment of our society”, Zeliang urged.
On the occasion Vice Chancellor, Prof. B.K Konwar presented a report about the activities of the University while Chancellor of Nagaland University and Chairman of the Convocation Prof. D.N Buragohain delivered the welcome note.
(With inputs from DIPR)
