Highlights lack of interaction between academic researchers and policymakers
LUMAMI — Lok Sabha MP Supongmeren Jamir made “history” on Monday by becoming the first Member of Parliament from Nagaland to visit the Lumami campus of Nagaland University. His visit was a landmark occasion for the university and provided a platform to address critical challenges in education, research, and youth employment across the state.
Dr. Abemo, Registrar of Nagaland University, confirmed that no other MP from Nagaland had visited the campus before. “This is the first time in our university's history that an MP from the state has come to engage with us,” he remarked. The event, held at the I Ihoshe Kinimi Hall, was attended by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Jagadish K Patnaik, along with faculty members and students.
Jamir expressed that the purpose of his visit was to engage with “the most educated and knowledgeable segment of society.” He emphasised the need to gather insights from the academic community to address Nagaland’s development needs, particularly in the field of education.
He also mentioned that university students are in a stage where they can shoulder responsibilities and counselled to take responsibility for societal change, urging them to sharpen their understanding and vision while still in university.
“Education is power,” Jamir noted, “a power that can either distort a generation or transform our society for the better. Choosing the latter should be your choice.”
He highlighted that just as elected politicians have a choice to either become part of a corrupt system or work for the betterment of the people, students must use the power of education to bring about positive change.
Jamir stressed the importance of taking ownership of the state’s problems, including unemployment, and becoming part of the solution. “To solve the unemployment problem, we should become the owners of the problem and generate solutions by creating jobs for the unemployed,” he stated, urging students to lead by example.
One of the key proposals during the visit was Jamir’s suggestion to establish a ‘Centre of Excellence for Christian Studies, Cross-Cultural Studies, and Endangered Naga Languages’ at Nagaland University. He envisioned this centre as a hub for academic research, supporting degree programmes and fostering research in areas that are vital to preserving the state’s cultural heritage. The centre would also focus on documenting endangered Naga languages and promoting cross-cultural understanding.
During discussions with faculty and students, the lack of interaction between academic researchers and policymakers in Nagaland was highlighted. The university community urged Jamir to help bridge this gap by facilitating the integration of research into policy-making processes. They also emphasised the need for national-level institutions and research-oriented centres within the state, noting that many talented researchers leave Nagaland due to limited local research infrastructure.