Morung Express News
Mokokchung | March 28
Functional English Department of Fazl Ali College today held a special felicitation programme for its 6th Semester Students’ who had successfully completed internship in different fields with Dr Abemo, Controller of Examination, Nagaland University here today at the college conference hall.
Functional English, which is a vocational and skill based subject, was introduced in Fazl Ali College in the year 2001. Today’s programme was also attended by the HoDs of different departments, the College Principal, vice-principal and some alumni.
Principal of FAC, Dr Arenla, while speaking at the programme, said that Functional English as a subject was first introduced in Fazl Ali College under Nagaland University way back in 2001. It was first attached with the English Department. Over the years, there was a need to upgrade the Functional English into a full-fledged department; after a lot of hardships, and a lot of sacrifices, the Functional English have come thus far, said the principal. She also highly complimented some of the former lecturers like Akok Walling (present principal of Dimapur Government College), Kuholi Chishi (present Addl director, Higher Education), Dr Chubatola Aier (principal and proprietor of C-Edge College, Dimapur) and Asso Prof Temsunaro HoD, FE Department, FAC for their sacrifices and nurturing the department and molding the students over the years.
Underscoring the importance of vocational and skill based subjects in schools and colleges given the high unemployment rate in the state, Dr Arenla strongly advocated for such subjects like Functional English in different colleges under Nagaland University and added that it is the need of the hour.
She further said that though Functional English is a small department given the small number of students due to lack of infrastructure and teaching faculty, yet she disclosed that the Functional English students, to her knowledge, have been employed in one or the other field in the state and outside.
The special guest, Dr Abemo, CoE, Nagaland University, Lumami, while congratulating the students, said that there is a norm under the UGC where a college can apply for awarding diploma certificates to students for vocational subjects. However, the concern college must apply for it to the University; He said that if the college apply for such provisions of awarding diploma certificates, then the Nagaland University would surely process it, said the University official.
The special guest also handed over the commendation certificates to the six successful students were awarded certificates for successfully completing their internships: two students for Radio Jockey, one as receptionist, two as teachers and one as a tourist guide intern.
Meanwhile, the HoD of Functional English, Asso Prof Narola Neizo delivered the welcome address while two students from the 6th Semester spoke about their experiences as Functional Eng students. Two alumni – Sentilong Ozukum (EAC) and Ayim Longchar (Editorial Cartoonist at Ao Milen) – motivated the students through their speeches.
It may be noted that Functional English is not like other traditional subjects. It is mostly practical orientated and focuses on ‘English phonetics, grammar, communication skills, media and entrepreneurship.’
