Prof. J.K. Patnaik, VC and others at the Republic Day programme
Lumami, January 28 (MExN): Nagaland University commemorated the 76th Republic Day at its Headquarters Lumami with Prof Jagadish Kumar Patnaik, Vice-Chancellor of Nagaland University as the chief guest.
In his speech, Prof Jagadish Kumar Patnaik reflected on the country’s civilizational journey confronting multiple challenges, and yet not just surviving but flourishing. As a Republic, India’s head of state and government are elected by the people, and we are fully sovereign internally and externally, he said. A press release received here stated that although the modern concept of democracy traces its roots to the Western world, India in fact is the mother of democracy as evident in our ancient village republics where consent and unanimity are the essence.
He stated that the northeastern states have prospered over the last 76 years, and though they may be lagging behind other states, they definitely are not backward because economic prosperity is a race. Compared to what was ten years ago, the northeastern states are today quite peaceful.
Four new departments in pipeline: NU VC
Talking of Nagaland University, Prof Patnaik highlighted a few significant ones from among the various steps taken during the last two years. From having a fourth campus run in rented buildings, the University today runs its affairs fully on its own in three campuses. Four more new departments are also in the pipeline; the new departments consisting of civil engineering, mechanical engineering, physical education, and vocational studies are very relevant for the state of Nagaland, he said.
He wanted these four departments to undertake undergraduate programmes, progressing to post-graduate programmes, and then research programmes, with the ultimate goal of having a full-fledged under-graduate and post-graduate residential university. He also shared that 20 buildings have already been sanctioned to accommodate the students, and the university may also get a building from the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
He pointed out that the academic ecosystem too has improved. In this academic session, the four-year undergraduate programme shall be introduced, and students shall be admitted on the basis of CUET. This will begin with basic sciences initially. Given the manner in which each department is developing, he hoped that by the end of his tenure Nagaland University would have become part of the top 100 in the NIRF.
Prof Patnaik pointed out that Nagaland has suitable climate, land resources, minerals, and a university that aims to have every form of knowledge and technology required to develop these resources. He asserted that our students can benefit by staying back in Nagaland, thereby reversing the current refrain that our students have low salary structures because they don’t venture out of the state. A time will come, he added, when our students will invest in entrepreneurship, start-ups, businesses, and then hire people from outside the state. “Our future is bright, so long as we continue to work hard with dedication, sincerity, and honesty,” he pointed out.
