Minister Temjen Imna Along with others during the inauguration of three new buildings at the Dimapur Government College campus on May 30.
Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 30
Minister of Higher Education and Tourism, Temjen Imna Along, stated that education in Nagaland must evolve from basic literacy to holistic, skill-based development. Along was speaking at the inauguration of three new buildings at the Dimapur Government College (DGC) campus on May 30. Contrasting the societal inclination for state government jobs after getting a college degree, he said, “There was a time when the government used to call people to join (government) service, but they did not join.”
He said that such an attitude towards life and job has changed today stating, “Now higher education has to transform. It is not only about reading and writing. It is a holistic development.”
Highlighting the rise of Artificial Intelligence and technological advancements that have moved learning beyond the conventional classrooms, he said that infrastructural development remains secondary to human resource development.
According to him, a state’s greatest potential lies in a literate, aware, and hardworking population that embraces transformation.
The buildings included a new academic block, a girl’s hostel and an Incubation Centre/Skill Hub. With the inauguration of the Skill Hub, DGC happened to be the first government college in Nagaland to have such a facility.
The projects were funded under the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA). Secretary of Higher Education, Sarita Yadav described PM-USHA as a transformative programme by the Union Ministry of Education, aimed at improving the quality, accessibility, and equity of higher education across the country.
“The facilities being inaugurated today represent a significant investment in the future of our students,” Yadav said. She added that the projects, falling under the 'Grant to Strengthen Colleges' and 'Gender Inclusion and Equity' components, will promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and student welfare.
Additional Secretary and State Programme Director for PM-USHA, Sentiyanger Pongen, reported on the scheme's implementation in the state. He revealed that out of six new model colleges recently approved by the Central government, four are from Nagaland.
Providing the technical report, Superintending Engineer, Education Division, Nagaland Public Works Department, Hokato Sema stated that the Academic Building, constructed at a cost of Rs 4.22 crore, can accommodate up to 910 students across 13 classrooms. He added that the structure's foundation can hold one more floor, which can enhance student intake capacity by 500-600.
The girls’ hostel block with 46 rooms was built at a cost of Rs 6 crore. The 2-storied Skill Hub with 7 halls/rooms came at a cost of Rs 2.5 cr. The three new buildings cost Rs 12.72 crore combined.
The Minister of Higher Education also announced plans to develop the college into a “Yuva Tourism Hub.” He directed officials to prepare a concept note for a Rs 5 to 10 crore project to incorporate youth tourism facilities within the campus to generate revenue.
