Kohima, July 19 (MExN): A review meeting of the RUSA projects in Nagaland was organised by the Department of Higher Education at the Conference hall, Kohima Science College, Jotsoma on June 13.
The meeting was chaired by Denesh Kumar (IAS), Commissioner and Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, Department of Higher & Technical Education. Others present at the review meeting included Dr. I. Anungla Aier, Director, Higher Education, Nagaland, Menuokholie Kire, State Project Director RUSA Nagaland, Principals and RUSA Coordinators and representatives from all 15 Government Colleges and representatives from the Engineering Wing, PWD Housing (Education Division).
The meeting started with a brief introduction by the State Project Director RUSA, Menuokholie Kire, where he stated that under RUSA-I there was a total of 32 projects granted to Nagaland state, namely; 1 New Model College at Wakching, Mon, 15 Infrastructure projects and 15 Vocationalisation of Higher Education projects at all the 15 Government Colleges, and 1 Research and Innovation project at Kohima Science College, Jotsoma.
The chairperson in his opening remark stated that the main aim of the review meeting was to assess the implementation of the projects under RUSA-I and the impact it had on the colleges and the students in particular. This was followed by power point presentation on the achievements under RUSA-I by the college Principals and Coordinators.
The developmental activities under the infrastructure projects being carried at all the 15 Government colleges were presented by the Engineering wing PWD Housing (Education Division) and a special presentation on the Prospect of Floriculture and Horticulture for Self Employment in Nagaland was presented by Sungtinaro Jamir, Rtd. V.P Kohima Science College Jotsoma.
During the discussion, Principals and Coordinators were given time to clarify doubts, share experiences and suggestions.
On vocational courses
On the vocational courses, the chairperson stressed on sustainability of the courses as RUSA funding were only for a fixed period, he impressed on the colleges which has established vocational courses like floriculture, horticulture and mushroom cultivation to aim to generate revenue from the sale of their products in order to sustain the courses in the future.
As for marketing of the products he suggested that the colleges coordinate with the District Horticulture department and also aim to sell the products outside the state as well through some marketing agency.
He made a special mention of the Electronics repair course at Kohima Science College, Jotsoma and Physical Education Training course at State College of Teacher Education, Kohima, as these were some courses which has to potential to grow and be completely self sustainable.
The only Research and Innovation project in the state at Kohima Science College was also mentioned and the chairperson was impressed with the good outcome as it has been able to produce positive results and is working at national and international level.
The chairperson also stressed on the fact that the main aim of offering these vocational courses is to develop entrepreneurship in the students, where the students after attaining basic vocational training from their college should be able to start their own business ventures after they complete their college education. In addition to this, he suggested that the colleges, as part of the vocational training, also provide the students with knowledge on how to avail the various Government schemes/ loans to start their own businesses. He took the example of one such Government scheme, the Mudra loans (or PMMY), which is a flagship schemes of the Government of India to extend affordable credit to micro and small enterprises.
Infrastructure projects
On the infrastructure projects at Wakching, Mon and the 15 Government Colleges, the chairperson was satisfied with most of the developmental works as it was seen that many of the infrastructures projects have been completed and has already been occupied and in use by the colleges. However, for those few infrastructure projects which are behind schedule, he suggested that the Engineering wing serve notice to those contractors and impress upon them that they complete their works.
The Director of Higher Education, Dr. I. Anungla Aier, in her concluding speech stated that she was impressed at how far the colleges have grown since the inception of the RUSA in the state in 2014. She mentioned about the Research and Innovation project headed by Dr. Sanjay Sharma, Department of Physics, Kohima Science College, Jotsoma for being the only RUSA R&I project in the state but doing immensely well at national and international level and for which it has made the Department of Physics, Kohima Science College and the Higher Education department proud.
The team also visited RUSA projects at Kohima Science College Jotsoma stated the press release issued by Keneizoulhou Kesiezie, Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, Kohima Science College, Jotsoma.
