Zunheboto, April 5 (MExN): Emlo-To Students' Union (ETSU) and Saptiqa Area Progressive Youth Forum (SAPYF) in separate press statements today stressed the need to upgrade Khelhoshe Polytechnic Atoizu (KPA) to an engineering college.
ETSU in a statement issued by its President, Vikato I Chishi lamented that KPA, the oldest polytechnic in Nagaland, is all set to commemorate 50 years jubilee in a short while, but it still falls short of providing degree level certificate.
“It's been a decade long since the issue was taken in the cabinet level and approval passed thereon, but hitherto no steps have been set off or initiated,” it noted. The land owners, ETSU said, have already played their part by offering free land with special respect to up-gradation and the stakeholders are ready for any clarion call from the department if need arises.
Pointing out that there is no degree institute for civil engineering in Nagaland and one such is the need of the hour, the students’ union highlighted that the indigenous students go outside for higher studies after completing their diplomas going through many procedures, financial problems and countless sufferings.
“It is a dream of every engineering students and parents to have our very own degree institute, so that pursuing degree course will be easier akin to other fields of studies,” it added.
The students’ union further asserted that KPA established in 1970 qualifies all criteria and has credentials to be upgraded. “Infrastructures should not be the reason in doing so, it can be the second option, having said that it should not be taken as an exception to prioritizing infrastructures.”
Meanwhile, ETSU stated it will be pleased to help, assist and troubleshoot any problems if the government/department or the authority concerned is willing to share the grounds and basis for rejecting the progression on various occasions in P&R.
Further, the union affirmed it is high time for the Chief Minister, Minister for Technical & Higher Education, Chief Secretary and all concerned to appraise the subject in question and address the issue with all sincerity and solve the problem once and for all.
In a separate statement, SAPYF expressed support to the Sumi Hoho’s demand for up-gradation of KPA and appealed to the Chief Minister, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu to take up the matter for early and positive response. It also highlighted the neglect of KPA's infrastructures.
“To promote and ensure safety for our younger generation, the state government should in letter and in spirit to implement the cabinet decision of December 17, 2007 for upgrading the institute to that of engineering college,” the Forum demanded. “It is always imperative for any successive government to develop and expand any educational institution in our state to avail the opportunity for our younger generation to earn their higher studies in our own place, averting the risk of extra security and expenses studying outside of the state or abroad.”
Irrespective of boundaries/jurisdictions belonging to any tribe/community, SAPYF stated, the properties and land of the State government will have to see more improvement like other States in India.
