The School of Agricultural Sciences (SAS), Nagaland University (NU), Medziphema Campus, inaugurated Deeksharambh 2026, the Student Induction Programme for newly admitted first-semester B.Sc. (Hons) Agriculture students on August 27 marking the beginning of students journey into higher education and professional agricultural education. The ten-day programme being organised from August 27 to September 9 has been designed in alignment with the UGC guidelines for Student Induction Programmes and the broader objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, with an emphasis on holistic development, academic orientation, institutional familiarisation, experiential learning, skills, professional values, wellbeing and career awareness.
Speaking at the inaugural programme, Prof Dipak Sinha, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Nagaland University, Medziphema Campus, emphasised that Deeksharambh is more than a formal introduction to the University and is intended to help students develop the right attitudes, values and qualities as they begin higher education. He highlighted the importance of departmental familiarisation in broadening students’ understanding of agriculture and exposing them to its diverse and emerging career opportunities.
Prof Pauline Alila, Dean, SAS, Nagaland University, stressed that the transition from school to university brings greater freedom as well as greater self-responsibility, particularly through the mentor-mentee system, as students begin to manage their learning and decisions independently. She underlined the role of teachers not only as educators but also as mentors and guides who can help students develop self-discipline, self-awareness and maturity under the Mentor-mentee system in place.
Dr Anthony Richa, Deputy Registrar, familiarised the students with the history, vision, mission and values of Nagaland University and its wider academic and research environment, while encouraging them to make meaningful use of the opportunities and expertise available within the University.
Dr Jurisandhya Bordoloi, In-charge, Academic Cell and Dr Moanungsang, In-charge, Examination Cell, oriented the students on the academic and examination framework, including the changing higher education landscape under NEP 2020, with its emphasis on flexibility, multidisciplinary learning, skill development and experiential learning.
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The students were also introduced to the Academic Bank of Credits and multiple-entry and multiple-exit provisions as part of the University’s evolving academic framework.
Dr Debika Nongmaithem, representing the Students’ Welfare Office, briefed the students on the Student Code of Conduct, anti-ragging provisions and the range of welfare and support services available on campus.
Prof KK Jha, ICAR Nodal Officer encouraged the students to approach their education with a positive attitude and to look beyond conventional employment options, urging them to aspire to become job creators rather than merely job seekers by developing an entrepreneurial and innovative outlook towards agriculture. He also drew attention to the School’s ICAR accreditation, highlighting its significance in providing students with a professionally recognised foundation in agricultural education.
The inaugural programme provided a strong foundation for the ten-day Deeksharambh programme, which will take students beyond classroom orientation through departmental familiarisation, mentor-mentee interaction, experiential learning, career orientation, entrepreneurship and emerging technologies, professional ethics, cultural and co-curricular activities, mental health and wellbeing, agricultural field visits, community sensitisation and interactions with eminent scientists and professors on important and emerging areas of agriculture.
Dr Mary N Odyuo, the Coordinator of Deeksharambh 2026, welcomed the newly-admitted students and said that the induction programme was designed to provide them with a meaningful introduction to the University, agricultural education and the opportunities ahead.
