Dr. J. Alam with others during ribbon cutting ceremony of CoEFL on September 9. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 9
Five students from Centre of Excellence for Foreign Languages (CoEFL), Nagaland University (NU) had found placement in Japan.
This was announced during the ribbon cutting ceremony of CoEFL at NU Kohima Campus, Meriema in the presence of Nagaland’s Chief Secretary Dr. J. Alam.
This Centre is a collaboration of Government of Nagaland and NU.
Expressing happiness over the product of CoEFL wherein five students have already got placement in Japan, Dr. Alam said “It is wonderful. It shows the quality of the programme and the potential of the programme.”
The original idea about setting up of this CoEFL (Japanese) was brought out by Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) and Chief Secretary Nagaland gave concrete shape of the programme.
Dr. Alam thanked Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio for supporting and funding CoEFL through innovation programme.
Thanking the Department of Linguistics, NU for running this 6 months certificate course, he said “I see the future of the Centre to be very bright.”
Prof. Pangersenla Walling, head, Department of Linguistics, NU said that on the initiative of IDAN, two MoU was between state government and NU, and ARMS and NU on the 5th of September 2023 in the presence of the chief minister of Nagaland and the ambassador of Japan to India.
This MoU is initially signed for an agreement of three years.
The major objective of the MoU aims to establish Nagaland as a hub for foreign language learning through the implementation of the CoEFL with the department of Linguistics as the host department, she said.
“It will not only offer students a wider range of educational courses, but also foster youth employment opportunities both domestically and internationally. In doing so, it will help strengthen bilateral ties with various countries,” she said adding additionally, this collaboration will enhance skill development and create employment opportunities for young professionals working abroad.
‘Optimistic the future of Naga youths heading to Japan’
“We are optimistic about the future of these Naga youths heading to Japan. Whether they work there for several years or just a few months, I am confident that when they return, they will bring back valuable exposure to both culture and work practices,” Prof. Walling said.
This programme is sponsored by the state government through Planning & Transformation Department under innovation fund.
Stating that another MoU with the initiative of IDAN was signed between NU and ARMs Incorporation, Prof. Walling said “This MoU was based on the mutual interest in the promotion of Japanese language and culture, and strengthening the capacity and employability and skill development.”
It took around 6 months to get the syllabus and other logistics ready.
It had decided to offer two types of certificates. The first one is for students who just wants to learn Japanese language and culture and other is for those who are seeking jobs in Japan.
In month of August 2024, the first batch of 33 students registered in CoEFL for the six-month certificate course in Japanese.
The centre has a Japanese teacher-Yoko.
Prof. G. Thong, Pro-vice Chancellor, Nagaland University Kohima Campus, Reny Wilfred, Joint Secretary, IDAN and Bur Sanen, ARMs Incorporation (Japanese Language Training Provider) also spoke at the programme.
The programme was led by Dr. Arenkala Ao, Asst Professor, Department of Linguistics, NU.
