V Lovitoly Sema, Additional Secretary of Higher and Technical Education and ex-officio Director of Higher Education addreses the inaugural session of the 4th ICMRI at St Joseph University, Chümoukedima, on October 26. (Photo Courtesy: SJU)
Chümoukedima, October 27 (MExN): The need to align multidisciplinary research with climate resilience, emerging technologies and employment generation was emphasised at the 4th International Conference on Multidisciplinary Research & Innovation (ICMRI-2026), organised by St Joseph University (SJU), Nagaland, from October 26 to 27.
Addressing the inaugural session as chief guest, V Lovitoly Sema, Additional Secretary of Higher and Technical Education and ex-officio Director of Higher Education, Nagaland, highlighted the role of multidisciplinary education under the National Education Policy (NEP) in addressing climate change, artificial intelligence (AI) and social inequality.
She noted that Nagaland’s biodiversity, ecotourism potential and traditional knowledge offered opportunities for research, urging scholars to connect their work with technology and employment-oriented outcomes to benefit local communities.
In his keynote address, Prof Anup Kumar Das, Director of the Agricultural Economics Research Centre for North-East India at Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, stressed the need to strengthen research culture, protect ecosystems and respond to climate emergencies while preserving social values and human equality.
Drawing lessons from the Green Revolution, he also highlighted the importance of sustainable water use and called for collaborative, multidisciplinary research to address challenges affecting society and the environment.
The two-day conference brought together university leaders, scholars, researchers and academicians to deliberate on global and regional challenges. It was attended by the university’s leadership, including the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar and Deputy Registrar, along with other officials and dignitaries.
The conference concluded on October 27 with a valedictory session featuring remarks by Prof Dr S Thiyagarajan, Controller of Examinations, and Dr Medongoi Rhakho, Joint Director (Administration), Department of Higher Education.
Awards and certificates were distributed to participants, while Dr Kinitoli H Yeptho, Director, Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), SJU, presented the conference summary and acknowledged contribution from various quarters, informed a press release from the university.
