CM for turning DGC into global standard college by 2030
Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 3
Dimapur Government College (DGC) turned 50 in July this year. The oldest in Dimapur and among the oldest in the state, the college marked the milestone on November 3 by hosting a commemorative jubilee function where the Chief Minister, TR Zeliang attended as chief guest.
Built in 1966, the college has been the result of the foresight of pioneering citizens of Dimapur, who realised the need for an institute of higher education at a time when an infant Nagaland state was grappling with the challenges of governance.
From a faculty of 7 and 83 students, it has today transformed to become a sought after seat of learning in the state with an enrolment of over 900 students. Once known for unruly student behaviour and politically charged student body elections, the transformation has been noteworthy with the college improving academically to eventually get NAAC accreditation in 2015 – a distinction held only by a handful of colleges in Nagaland.
It ran as a private college - Dimapur College (Arts & Commerce) until 1989, when in February of that year, it was adopted by the state government. It was rechristened Dimapur Government College while the state government started construction of an academic building at the present site, which was acquired prior to the takeover.
A work started in earnest however turned sluggish as completing the academic building got delayed. The neglect of the government was apparent as the college witnessed no major infrastructural development, except the academic building, in the years that followed. It also fell prey to encroachment with the initial demarcated land of 45 acres reportedly reduced by around 2 acres.
While the government appeared content at having constructed a building, the college dragged on. It today has a football field, a basketball court and a library building, mostly through external aid.
The CM in his jubilee address spoke of turning dreams into reality and a collective responsibility towards overcoming the state’s shortcomings. “Today’s vision is for tomorrow’s reality. Someone had dreamed of DGC and we’re facing the reality today,” said the CM, while recalling the contribution of the pioneers. While stating that the DGC should be turned into a “global standard college” by its 75th anniversary, he hoped that it would coincide with the Vision 2030 of the state.
Terming the state’s literacy rate as notable only in statistics, he said that it is matter of serious concern that Nagaland has over a lakh educated unemployed youths. Cultivating work culture, he said, is the key for a transformation, while adding that DGC has made the right move by introducing vocational subjects. He further urged the faculty to inspire students to not only aim for white-collar government jobs but also to explore the possibility of self-employment. Referring to the encroachment of college land, he held that other institutions and civil societies should emulate how the college has been able to thwart encroachment.
Speaking on behalf of the Alumni, Secretary, Land Resources, Y Kikheto Sema said the alumni should give credit to the teachers for what they are today. Stating that jubilee was a time to acknowledge the pioneers, Kikheto said that it was also a time to see the balance sheet of the assets and liabilities created by the College.
As for the college, the needs are many for it to turn into a world-class centre of excellence. While the CM fell short of announcing any special plan to mark the 50th anniversary, the college at present has two hostel blocks upcoming along with an administrative block and new academic building. It is set to introduce science stream by 2018, the foundation stone for which was laid today by Parliamentary Secretary for Higher & Technical Education, Deo Nukhu today.
According to the Principal, Ngangshikokba Ao, the college has submitted a proposal to the government for a staff quarters building within the campus. Response to this proposal is pending. While funds have been hard to come by, the principal added that the college immediately needs a separate power transformer. This, he added, would aid towards a plan to have air-conditioned classrooms, which also requires fund. “If only the government is willing, we really need modern classrooms,” the principal told The Morung Express. His dream of a modern classroom includes soundproof classrooms with LCD projectors and galleries. While stating that it is happening in other places, he added that the faculty is qualified enough to live up to the vision of a global centre of excellence.
