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Dimapur, Jan. 22 (EMN): A two-day online national conference organised by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of Tetso College on the topic ‘Higher education in Northeast India: Trends, opportunities and challenges’ got underway on January 22.
A total of 15 academicians from various parts of the country including Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Assam, West Bengal, and Nagaland would present papers in the National Assessment Accreditation Council (NAAC) sponsored conference.
Welcoming the participants, IQAC coordinator of the college Dr. Elika Assumi stated that the global Covid-19 pandemic has beset educational institutions with challenges never faced before while it also afforded novel avenues for innovation such as the online platform. She also mentioned that it was the first NAAC sponsored national conference being held online, an update from the college stated.
Also terming the conference as a unique collaboration, Assumi expressed optimism that the relationship would continue to create strong academic partnership to cement the managing role of NAAC in higher education of the nation.
In her inaugural speech, the college vice principal Dr. Hewasa Lorin thanked all the participants and organisers for conducting a national conference which aims at examining the current scenario of higher education in north-east India. She reminded that presently there are two imminent issues that need to be tackled in the education sector- to overcome the digital learning divide caused by the pandemic and to implement the new education policy.
Despite other numerous challenges, Dr. Hewasa was hopeful that there are ample opportunities for academicians to create a sizeable impact especially when they are aware of those challenges.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Fr. CP Anto, principal of NEISSR, urged the participants to reflect on the situation of higher education, its challenges and opportunities in the post-pandemic scenario. Giving a brief report about higher education in the Northeast, Anto stated that there are 10 central universities, 13 state universities, 31 private universities, 1 deemed university and 924 colleges in the region according to UGC.
Besides, he pointed out some challenges such as inadequate infrastructure and sustainability of financial support, digital divide, theory based syllabus, lack of research and creating new studies, language barriers etc.
In conclusion, he stated that ‘the function of universities is not merely to send out technically skilled and professionally competent persons but to produce in them the quality of compassion’.
The inaugural session was chaired by Dr. Rosy Tep, department in-charge of the college, while a song was presented by Mmhatsu Humtsoe, MA English 3rd semester.
On the inaugural day, Dr. Parimala Veluvali spoke on ‘Leveraging the learning management system to make classrooms more engaging and inclusive: An exploration,’ while Dr. S Elika Assumi spoke on ‘Online learning in Nagaland: Case study of a college in Nagaland,’ Wapangsenla Imchen on ‘Faculty training and development of higher education institutions' in Nagaland: Barriers faced,’ Dr. S Maxwell Lyngdoh on ‘Role of a career counsellor in facilitating career preparedness for students who are first generation learners in Shillong, Meghalaya,’ Dr. Sabur Ali M and Dr. RimmeiLongmei on ‘Lack of interest in Science subjects in higher education and Maths phobia in Nagaland,’ Sumita Banik Saha on ‘Efficacy of ICT enabled education in tackling growth obstacles in India,’ Jube Boruah Mondal on ‘Influence of ICT in research development in higher education,’ and Dr. Aniruddha Babar and Dr. Debabrata on ‘Analytical study of quality control measures and mechanism in ICT based teaching and learning’.