TISS to open institute of higher education at Chuchuyimlang

EMN Dimapur, May 10 Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) will establish an Institute of Higher Studies at Chuchuyimlang in Mokokchung district in collaboration with Nagaland Gandhi Ashram (NGA) and with active cooperation of Chuchuyimlang Village Council. An MoU to this effect was signed between the two organisations at TISS campus in Mumbai on April 29 .TISS, recognised as a Deemed University by University Grants Commission, is an institute of international repute and has made consistent contributions to civil society and the development sector through its education, research, field action and extension programmes. The institute offers courses on Social Work, Development, Education, Humanities, Environment and other related disciplines. The campus at Chuchuyimlang envisages to set up a series of Centres of Excellence in a phased manner. The proposed Centres are Institute of Social Work, Institute of Agriculture Development, Institute for Teachers’ Training, Institute for Vocational Studies and Training, Cultural Resource Centre for Naga Art & Crafts and Gandhi Museum and Study Centre comprising Gandhian and Nagaland/North Eastern affairs. Setting up of Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Social Work which will offer Master of Social Work (MSW) course from the Academic session 2014-15 is also being seriously contemplated. The campus will be developed at a sprawling 232 acres of land donated for the purpose by Chuchuyimlang villagers without any cost or condition. It may be recalled that the Mahatma Gandhi Centre for Social Work was established in collaboration with IGNOU in 2010 which has produced two batches of MSW graduates. The institute, however, had to be discontinued due to change if policy of IGNOU to abolish face to face programmes. This was stated in a release issued by Dr. Aotoshi, Trustee, Nagaland Gandhi Ashram, Chuchuyimlang.