Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav on Saturday inaugurated the Academic Staff College along with new facilities for Naturopathy, Physiotherapy and Medical Laboratory Science at the International University, Nagaland, describing the initiative as a significant step towards strengthening higher education and healthcare in the state.
Addressing the inaugural programme, the Governor commended the University’s two-decade journey since its establishment in 2006, saying it has evolved into a centre of innovation, social responsibility and environmental stewardship.
He described the Academic Staff College as a milestone in enhancing the quality of higher education, emphasising that the standard of any university ultimately depends on the quality of its teachers. He said the institution would promote continuous professional development, pedagogical research and lifelong learning, enabling educators to better shape future generations.
Highlighting the newly inaugurated health sciences facilities, Yadav said the University has successfully integrated traditional wellness systems such as naturopathy and physiotherapy with modern medical laboratory science. Besides strengthening academic training, he said the facilities would also function as diagnostic centres for surrounding communities, reflecting the university’s commitment to public service.
The Governor further praised the University for demonstrating that institutions of international standards can flourish in the Northeast. He encouraged students to become “job-givers rather than job-seekers” by embracing entrepreneurship, innovation and ethical leadership, while urging faculty members to utilise the Academic Staff College to promote research and teaching relevant to Nagaland’s unique socio-economic and geographical context.
Earlier, Director of the Academic Staff College, Prof Zavise Rume described the launch of the institution as a historic milestone, noting that it is the first and only Academic Staff College in Nagaland dedicated to the professional development of higher education teachers.
He said the college aligns with India’s vision of becoming a global knowledge superpower, where teachers are recognised as the heart of learning and the driving force behind educational transformation.
He noted that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 recommends at least 50 hours of continuous professional development annually for every teacher to enhance professional competence, adopt innovative teaching methods and improve student learning outcomes. The policy also emphasises induction training, orientation and refresher courses for university and college teachers as part of career advancement.
Pointing out that Nagaland has long lacked a dedicated institution for teacher training in higher education, Rume said the college has been established to decentralise and localise professional development, making quality training more accessible to educators across the state.
He said the college will conduct short-term and long-term teacher education programmes through face-to-face, online and hybrid modes. It will also organise 30-day induction and orientation programmes for newly recruited faculty, 15-day refresher courses for serving teachers, Faculty Development Programmes (FDPs), seminars, workshops, conferences, symposiums, panel discussions and focus group discussions.
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In addition, the college will facilitate research, internships and academic exchange programmes while collaborating with Academic Staff Colleges and teacher education institutions across the country.
Expressing happiness over the launch of the institution, Rume said the Academic Staff College has been conceptualised to strengthen the quality of higher education in Nagaland and congratulated the university management and all stakeholders on the successful inauguration of the college.
Advisor for Law & Justice and Land Revenue, TN Mannen described the Academic Staff College as a landmark initiative that would help educators remain relevant in an era of rapid technological advancement and artificial intelligence.
He noted that the institution is the first of its kind in Nagaland and only the second in the Northeast, providing a platform for teachers and academicians to upgrade their knowledge, exchange professional experiences and adopt innovative teaching practices.
Mannen also welcomed the inauguration of the University’s new facilities for physiotherapy, electrotherapy, medical laboratory science and pathology, saying they would strengthen healthcare services in the state. He urged the University to create greater public awareness about the facilities so that people across Nagaland could benefit from the specialised diagnostic and therapeutic services.
Highlighting the pace of technological change, Mannen said knowledge is expanding exponentially and artificial intelligence is advancing at an unprecedented rate, making continuous learning essential. He stressed that experienced teachers and academicians would benefit from sharing their professional experiences, innovative teaching methods, problem-solving approaches and unresolved challenges, while also gaining exposure to new ideas and developments.
He said orientation programmes are particularly important as they help educators adapt to a rapidly changing world, ensuring that their knowledge and skills remain relevant to contemporary educational needs.
Mannen also praised Professor Trivedi for his vision and contribution to the growth of the International University, describing the Academic Staff College as one of his significant initiatives to strengthen both higher education and healthcare in the state.
He urged the university to widely publicise the newly inaugurated healthcare facilities so that people across Nagaland could benefit from services such as physiotherapy and other diagnostic and therapeutic care.
Expressing confidence in the institution’s future, Mannen said the university would play an important role in advancing academic excellence and improving healthcare services in the state.
