DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 15 (MExN): ICFAI University Nagaland (IUN) held its 7th Annual NJY Memorial Lecture on October 15.
The programme was chaired by Abdon Mech, a student of MA English. CP Alexander, the Vice Chancellor delivered the Welcome Address and also gave a brief biography of NJ Yasaswy, the founder of ICFAI Group of Institutions.
This was followed by an instrumental piece by Takotemjen Chang, an MA Political Science student. Dr. Temsurenla Ozukum, Department of English gave an introduction about NJY Memorial Lectures and also introduced the speakers: Prof. Buno Liegiese, from the Department of Education Nagaland University, and Dr. Riku Khutso, EAC Bhandari.
In her lecture titled “Recent Trend in Higher Education With Emphasis on Nagaland: An Analysis” Prof Liegise discussed the importance of Higher Education in Nagaland and also highlighted the genesis of higher education in the state. Focusing on recent trends, she pointed out how a number of colleges in Nagaland are now providing post-graduate courses; the rapid growth of infrastructures of institutions with grants from UGC, and the rise of digital enterprise in education.
Prof. Liegise pointed out the lack of institutions offering technical and professional courses in the state, and how there is a need for research development for students as well as for teachers. She concluded her lecture by focusing on certain visions of higher education system emphasising on the up-gradation and modernisation of libraries, teaching methods and to focus on competency, professionalism and dedication.
Dr. Riku Khutso also emphasised on education mainly focusing on early educational evangelism in the Naga society in his lecture titled “The Making of ‘Converts’ and ‘Literates’ in the Naga Society: The Sociology of English Language”. He discussed the positive as well as the negative aspects of colonial rule and missionary enterprise by discussing how literacy among the Nagas came hand in hand with evangelism. He also spoke about the assimilation of culture and how Naga Christianity also reflects some aspect of the culture of the pre-christian Nagas. The principle vision of educational evangelism of the Christian missionaries, as he observed were “to evangelise”, “to educate” and “to baptize”. Education and the English language as means of indigenising evangelism along with cultural interaction brought about a close cultural affinity which saw a shift in the Naga society.
Dr. Khutso also spoke about how conversion and the transition from tradition to modern sensibility is part of a “structural organisation” of the Nagas and concluded with the notion that what the people of Nagaland have become today was long imagined by the missionaries in the past.
The programme came to an end with a vote of thanks by Dr. Azono Khatso, Assistant Professor, Department of English.
