Department of Vocational Studies & Skill Development at SASRD, NU Medziphema campus was inaugurated on February 20.
Medziphema, February 22 (MExN): In a landmark development, Department of Vocational Studies & Skill Development was inaugurated on February 20 at SASRD, NU Medziphema campus by the special guest Prof RS Rathore, Registrar, Shree Vishwakarma Skill University (SVSU), Haryana.
A press release received here stated that in his inaugural address, Prof Rathore emphasised the need of skill manpower requirement in our country. He stated that our country is facing very acute shortage of skilled manpower to undertake the technical work both in agriculture as well as industrial sector. Thus, setting up the Department of Vocational Studies & Skill Development at SASRD, Medziphema campus is a stepping stone in this direction. It will cater to the needs of skilled manpower requirements of the region as well as the country.
The department aims to equip students with the practical skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the workforce in line with the requirements of implementation of NEP 2020 by Nagaland University. He proclaimed that we need 10 million young skilled person every year who are skilled in one or more trade and can be potentially employed or have gainful employment.
He applauded the hard and dedicated efforts laid by Prof Akali Sema and the team comprising Prof KK Jha and Prof CS Maiti in establishing this department.
Prof Akali Sema, Incharge of the department thanked Prof RS Rathore for providing free consultancy for developing the detailed project report and the needed guidance for framing course curricula for vocational courses. She stated that at present the department will offer three courses viz, B.Voc (Horticulture Technology), B.Voc (Food Processing) and M.Voc (Entrepreneurship) wherein 10 students have been admitted in B.Voc (Horticulture Technology) programme for the academic year 2022-23.
Prof Akali Sema mentioned about the running of two vocational courses at SASRD earlier, which paved the way for establishing the Department of Vocational studies & Skill Development.
Former Pro Vice Chancellor, Prof M Aleminla Ao, in her brief remark, expressed her satisfaction for having a full-fledged Department of Vocational studies & Skill Development, where 60 -70 % of the time will be devoted for practical work for skill development.
Prof L Daiho, Dean chaired the programme and affirmed that the newly established Department of Vocational Studies & Skill Development will provided the needed opportunities to the students to learn from experienced professionals in their respective fields, gaining hands-on experience that will set them apart to excel in their selected vocations.
Nishi Agarwal, the learning and development specialist, NEDFi, Guwahati in her brief remark gave an overview of Advancing NE portal, a digital initiative of North East Council for the benefit of students and entrepreneurs.
Earlier, lighting of candle was done by the special guest, invocation prayer by Lily Konyak, EU; special number delivered by Lhiweü Chiero and vote of thanks was proposed by Prof CS Maiti, programme coordinator of B.Voc (Horticulture Technology).
The programme was attended by HoDs, staff and students of SASRD.
