DIMAPUR, MAY 18 (MExN): A delegation of the Nagaland University Teachers’ Association (NUTA) met the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, Visitor of Nagaland University, after the Convocation at the University headquarters in Lumami on May 15. A press release from NUTA said that in a private audience granted to the NUTA, the five member delegation (of its Central Executive Council) of the NUTA apprised the Visitor of issues in the University and submitted a four point representation for development of the University, and in the interest of higher education in Nagaland.
The first point highlighted the urgent need for a medical college in Nagaland, with a request to grant one to the University at the earliest. “With serious problems of health affecting the state including an alarming rise of cancer, diabetes, kidney and HIV/AIDs, we see the great necessity of affordable study of medicine and medical research within the state,” read the representation. Many Naga students, it stated, who aspire to study medicine cannot due to the lack of such an institute in the State, with many unable to afford study outside the State.
In its second point, the NUTA has requested for a “one-time Special Development package” for infrastructure development of the University’s earlier interim headquarters at Kohima in Meriema, inclusive of academic departments, hostels, library, auditorium and administrative office and completion of the Master plan for Kohima Campus. “We request that this special development package should be inclusive of the infrastructure for the School of Engineering and Management for which the Government of Nagaland has allotted an additional 40 acres of prime land to the Kohima Campus. At present, the School of Engineering and Management is running in rented buildings at Dimapur and all funds for infrastructure has been spent on rent for the buildings, despite strong objections from the NUTA over the years,” it added.
The Association has also requested a “special development package” for completion of University Headquarters at Lumami including all academic infrastructures as per the master plan.
Finally, the NUTA has requested the upgradation of the School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development to that of Central University of Hill Agriculture and Technology. “Agricultural technology so far developed for the plains of the country does not find wide acceptability by farmers in the hills as it does not harmonise well with traditional system and values nor provide psychological security. This institution will further cater to the needs of agricultural development in hilly areas which can be adopted in the environmental conditions of the Northeastern hill region and sub-Himalayan mountainous region,” it stated to Pranab Mukherjee.
The Visitor, as per NUTA’s press release, has assured the NUTA to take up the issues for developing the University with the Ministry of Human resource Development and the concerned Ministry for the Central Hill Agriculture and Technology University. The delegation was led by President NUTA Kohima Rosemary Dzüvichü, Dr. Pauline, Secretary, CEC NUTA, Dr. Sanyu Yaden, President, NUTA Lumami, Dr. Chandan Maiti, President, NUTA Medziphema and Dr. N. Das, Executive, CEC, NUTA.
