Morung Express News
Kohima | May 23
Jubilation was doing rounds within the house of Information Technology & Technical Education (ITTE) Nagaland as its directorate building was inaugurated this morning by minister for information technology, Imkong L. Imchen. The complex is behind the new assembly complex, Kohima.
Speaking at the inaugural, the minister said that the directorate building of the ITTE, was part of the infrastructure development under the 3rd Technician Education Project assisted by the World Bank. The project was formally launched on January 18, 2001 and will be ending by July 2007. The total project cost for Nagaland is Rs. 400 million under Externally Aided Project (EAP).
Under this project, he said, one of the major achievements was the establishment of a new polytechnic at Mokokchung, Institute of Communication & Information Technology (ICIT) and revamping of the existing Khelhoshe Polytechnic at Atoizu and Government Polytechnic, (formerly Women Polytechnic) at Kohima.
Taking into consideration the requirement of technical education, several new programmes like Automobile Engineering, Electrical & Electronics Engineering at Khelhoshe Polytechnic, Atoizu and Computer Applications and Fashion design at Government Polytechnic, Kohima has been successfully introduced, the minister said adding that ICIT Mokokchung offers 3 years’ diploma programmes in information technology, electronics and communication, engineering and computer engineering.
Imchen also stated that the state government created the department of Information Technology by utilizing the capacity created in the project and transferred the SPIU (State Project Implementation Unit) along with all its manpower and assets. In September 2004, the Government bifurcated the Directorate of Higher and Technical Education by transferring the technical education section to the Directorate of Information Technology and thus the department of Information Technology and Technical Education was created and is functioning in this building as of today.
“The objective of the department is to convert all these institutions to centers of excellence and upgrade them to degree colleges which would produce world class technocrats and technicians in the state,” Imchen said adding that the department was planning to grant maximum level of institutional autonomy with accountability to the extent of the capacity developed within, which is expected to lead to a more efficient and accountable system.
The minister also said that polytechnics would strive to serve the community by identifying various need-based non-formal training for citizens of the society and impart training in the areas specifically suited to the individual.
Further, the minister thanked the Government of India and the World Bank for assisting the state in the development of technical education in the state.
Imchen called upon the youths to take up the opportunity of the various facilities in developing their technical skills “through which they will be able to contribute in the socio-economic development of the state.”
“We have successfully negotiated with the GOI, MIT for implementation of the National eGovernance Plan and prepared an eGovernance roadmap for capacity building for the state,” he added. The department is also in the process of implementation of Nagaland State Wide Area Network (NAGASWAN) for which approval and sanction has already been received from the GOI.
The NAGASWAN envisages building up of a Information Highway for the state where connectivity shall initially provide electronic connectivity to all district headquarters and shall ultimately be extended right to the block level. DPR for a State Data Centre (SDC) is also being prepared for submission to the GOI for approval and accord of sanction, the minister said.
Earlier, Imsayuba Naga, Project Director, SPIU said that the directorate building with a plinth area of 1361 sq. was constructed at a cost of Rs. 174.50 lakh (inclusive of ancillaries such as landscaping, tube bore well, generator, guards cabin etc.) against an estimated cost of Rs. 110.76 lakh.
Chief Secretary Lalhuma and principal secretary Home, Banuo Z. Jamir also spoke at the occasion. The function was chaired by KT Sukhalu, IAS, Secretary ITTE while A. Kathipri, OSD, ITTE said vote of thanks.
Minister for information & public relations, forest and environment Kheto, parliamentary secretaries Kipili Sangtam and R. Khing, MLA Yankithung also graced the occasion.
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