Temjen Imna Along inaugurated a new PM-USHA-funded academic block at Zunheboto Government College.
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Zunheboto Government College gets new academic building under PM-USHA
DIMAPUR — Minister for Higher Education and Tourism, Temjen Imna Along, inaugurated the new academic building of Zunheboto Government College (ZGC) on June 5.
The building was constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA), a centrally sponsored scheme aimed at strengthening higher education institutions, with funding support from the Union Ministry of Education and the Government of Nagaland.
Addressing the inaugural programme as special guest, Along described the new infrastructure as a significant milestone for the college and its students. He commended the Directorate of Higher Education and the engineering wing for their commitment and quality workmanship, noting the visible transformation in the institution's facilities since his last visit in 2018.
“Transformation does not happen overnight. It requires commitment, resilience and consistent practice within the system,” he said.
The minister urged public leaders, civil society organisations, NGOs and church leaders to support long-term developmental initiatives by giving the government time and space to implement meaningful reforms.
Calling on students to become agents of change, Along encouraged them to adopt new approaches to learning and work, stressing that academic degrees alone would not address the state's human resource challenges.
He said patience, purpose and practical application of knowledge were essential for personal and societal progress.
He also urged principals and faculty members to model progressive attitudes and values that students could emulate.
Emphasising the importance of unity and exposure, Along encouraged the college to promote visits to different districts and foster greater intra-state and inter-tribal understanding.
The minister further appealed to church leaders and community organisations to initiate free coaching and tuition programmes, assuring that the government was willing to support such efforts through departmental grants-in-aid.
Delivering the welcome address, ZGC principal Dr. R. Bendangtemjen said the new academic block comes at a crucial time as the university has approved the introduction of the fourth-year undergraduate programme and Honours in Education, which was previously offered only as a general course.
With enrolment increasing and academic offerings expanding, he said additional classroom space had become necessary. As the district's only government college, he also highlighted the need for further infrastructure, including security fencing and a gate for the girls' hostel, an auditorium, administrative block, staff quarters, introduction of Sociology and Sümi studies, and establishment of a skill hub.
Presenting the technical report, SDO, PWD (Housing), Nuhuta Tetseo informed that the project was sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs. 4 crore with a completion period of 24 months. He said the project was completed ahead of schedule through the coordinated efforts of the contractor and stakeholders.
The newly constructed G+2 academic block has a plinth area of 828 square metres and comprises six classrooms and three toilet blocks with water supply facilities. Each classroom can accommodate 60 to 75 students, giving the building a total seating capacity of approximately 360 to 450 students.
Additional Secretary and State Project Director, PM-USHA, Sentiyanger Pongen highlighted the significance of the PM-USHA initiative, noting that Nagaland had received four of the six model colleges initially sanctioned under the scheme nationwide.
Officials from the Higher Education Department and representatives of Sümi civil society organisations also attended the programme.