Northeast emerging as new education hub

Kohima: Despite inheriting a legacy of good education, students of Northeast have to seek a college outside the region for higher education. However, the announcement of new educational projects by both the Centre and the state is set to pave way for a new era in the education sector of the Northeast.

The Northeast region is going through a phase of development, and education will be the next sector which the region would seek to excel.

Recently, Union Minister of Human Resource and Development, Smriti Irani laid the foundation of the first Tata Institute of Social Science (TISS) in Nagaland.

The institute was inaugurated in the presence of Nagaland Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang at a function held at Chuchuyimlang vilklage in Mokokchung District.

The campus will be developed on a sprawling 232 acres of land donated by the villagers.

The other such proposed centres are Institute of Social Work, Institute of Agriculture Development, Institute for Teachers' Training, Institute for Vocational Studies and Training, Cultural Resource Centre for Naga Art and Crafts, besides a Gandhi Museum and Study Centre comprising Gandhian and Nagaland/North Eastern affairs.

Speaking on the occasion, Irani said that the setting up of new institute is aimed at providing a better future for the youth.

"This is an opportunity of a perfect example that how a community comes together to profess the educational needs and also the skill needs of children & strengthen them so that they can have a better future," she said.

Meanwhile, the Nagaland Chief Minister lauded the locals for donating land for the institute.

"I also congratulate the village council and the citizens of Chuchuyimlang village who have exhibited exemplary by donating 232 acres of land without any cost or condition. I am sure you will nurture this new academy like you have nurtured the Gandhi Ashram in past six decades. By doing so you will be serving not only your interest but also the interest of the future generation," he said.

The Centre has announced a number of similar projects for the Northeast including the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Assam, an Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in Nagaland and a Centre for Film Production, Animation and Gaming in Arunachal Pradesh.

Also, new IIMs will come up in all north-eastern states other than Meghalaya.