PCAN push for inclusion of private colleges in RUSA scheme

Minister Temjen Imna Along with members of PCAN during a discussion on matters related to making Nagaland State an educational hub on September 20. (Photo Courtesy: PCAN) 

Dimapur, September 22 (MExN): The Executive Body of Private College Association Nagaland (PCAN) on September 20 called on the Minister of Higher & Technical and Tribal Affairs, Government of Nagaland Temjen Imna Along with respect to inclusion of Private Colleges of Nagaland in RUSA Scheme, and other matters related to making Nagaland State an educational hub. 

The Minister shared his vision of social engineers to take society forward and also to include eligible private colleges under RUSA. The association consisting of 6 members stated that all the neighboring states of Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, etc include private colleges under RUSA which has speeded up their development making the states’ educational institutes’ struggle to match them.  

PCAN in a press release issued by its President Dr PS Lorin and General Secretary V Keyho stated that there should not be differentiations between government and private colleges, as private colleges play a role similar to government colleges without a direct salary burden on the state.

It provide both employment, avenues for consumer consumption and support the majority of the students in the state, the Association maintained.

However, private institutes in Nagaland are hampered because many of the institutes do not have access to adequate financial resources like loans and grants for expansion nor are the institutes able to charge fees that reflect the true cost of higher education, it stated.  

The association also assured to collaborate and be of service to the department as the larger goal was to strengthen the higher education landscape of Nagaland with the aim to make Nagaland into an education hub.