FAC Language Translation Centre for ‘Retrieving Identities’

Morung Express News
Mokokchung | March 16 

With the motto ‘Retrieving Identities’ and the vision ‘To promote Ao Language and Literature,’ the Fazl Ali College (FAC), Mokokchung has instituted the Language Translation Centre (LTC). It was inaugurated by Minister PWD (Housing) Tongpang Ozukum as the special guests on March 16. He also inaugurated Resource Center, Child Care Center, Biotech Laboratory, Mini Soil Testing Laboratory and an Internet Browsing Center spread across different locations within the college campus.

The LTC is established as a joint effort of the English and Ao department of the college with the objectives to translate literary works in English to Ao and vice versa; to do research on Ao oral literature and translate them into English; to publish books on Ao language and literature; to offer certificate courses in language translation.

The main purpose of the centre is to translate literary works in English, to do research on Ao literature and translate them into English, to publish books on Ao language and literature and to offer certificate courses in Language translation.

Presenting the concept note during the inaugural programme, Dr Lanurenla, Director, LTC spoke on the importance of multilingualism and how it will help in attaining quality education and preserve cultural heritage. She said that the New Education Policy 2020 stresses on the requirements of bilingual teaching in schools and that the present society is on a culture survival mission both of which can perhaps be fulfilled through the establishment of the LTC.

Earlier, Minister Tongpang said that the inauguration of all the innovative initiatives will not only help in the NAAC accreditation exercise but will be helpful for the institution and the people since they are all practically very important initiatives. 

On LTC, Tongpang said that translation is not just the change of words but it builds bridges between cultures. The translation of Ao language will not only help in promoting it but will also help in making it an honours subject in the college and university level, he said and added that translation is not just for the purpose of education but also for various others purposes.

Jemti Mollier, Chief Patron, LTC, Ao Senden, Watsu Mungdang, AKM, Chuchuyimpang Village Council and Mokokchung Village Council also spoke on the occasion. The concluding remark and discussion was led by Temjenwabang, Principal, FAC. The dedicatory prayer was said by Rev Noklen Lkr, Pastor, Ungma Baptist Church. 

Brief about the other new centres and facilities: 
 
FAC Resource Center: The Center is an initiative of the FAC Uniform Committee, which designs and avails uniforms to the students. The College recognizes the fact that many of the students have financial limitation and many finance their own study by undertaking various entrepreunal and skill based activities. Therefore, in order to avail a window to exhibit and sell their products, the Resource Center has been established. 

The College envisages that the establishment of the Resource Center will aid in the development and promotion of skill-based activities such as floriculture, gardening, handcrafts and publication of literary works among the College fraternity including faculty, staff and alumni. 

Child Care Center: A Child Care Centre has been established by the College for the welfare of working parents of young children in need of care. The objective of the Centre is to provide the facility for child care to the teaching faculty, students and the non-teaching staff of the college.

Biotech Laboratory: The Department of Botany felt the need to promote sustainable propagation of the valuable germplasm (plant species) found in our land with potential for ornamental, medicinal and other commercial purposes, thus, the Biotech Lab has been established to train students by providing hands-on training in tissue culture and use of modern molecular and biotechnological equipments like Laminar flow, centrifuge, PCR, Centrifuge etc. 

It envisages equipping students and making them competent for higher studies or other entrepreunal works after completion of their course. The Biotech lab has equipments worth Rs 40-50 lakh and also has competent faculties to start such entrepreunal courses for students and look forward for the Government to open avenues for supporting such student-centric programs.

Mini Soil Testing Laboratory: A mini soil testing laboratory was installed by the Department of Soil and Water Conservation, Mokokchung at FAC under North Ongpangkong Block on February 18. This initiative is part of the broader objective of the Department to provide quantitative soil testing kit and allow farmer’s easy access to the benefits of soil testing services thereby ensuring higher productivity. 

The Department of Geography has long felt the need of a soil laboratory to assist and encourage both students and faculty in research and project related activities. Since the mini Laboratory has the capability of testing 14 parameters of soil condition it is anticipated that it would greatly benefit the institution and even the surrounding farming community.

Internet Browsing Center: The vision of Internet Resource Center is an extension of the traditional library to modern library keeping in pace with technology. Just as our students can go to any section in the library and update their knowledge, so also in IRC, they can get the latest information not just limited to books and journals but to a whole vista of resources.