Fazl Ali College, Mokokchung, organised the second edition of the FAC Annual Lecture Series on November 3, an initiative of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), to commemorate its
Founding Day and reaffirm its commitment to academic engagement and intellectual development.
The annual lecture, held on the theme “Higher Education and the Philosophy of Gross National
Happiness: Indigenous Perspectives on Well-being and Sustainability,” featured Karma Yoezer, Head and
Lecturer, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Sherubtse College, Royal University of Bhutan,
as the speaker.
Delivering the lecture, Karma Yoezer spoke on Bhutan's philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH), introduced under the vision of its Fourth King, Jingme Singye Wangchuk. He explained that development should not be measured merely through economic growth but through the overall well-being of people.
Highlighting the four pillars of GNH, namely good governance, sustainable socio-economic development, preservation of culture and environmental conservation, he emphasised the need for a more holistic understanding of progress.
Relating the philosophy to higher education, Yoezer noted that institutional success should not be measured solely through pass percentages, enrolment, publications and accreditation. He stressed the importance of measuring what truly matters while respecting what cannot always be measured.
He outlined four ways of integrating GNH principles into higher education: preserving indigenous knowledge and traditional ways of life through oral histories and immersive learning; encouraging research that addresses community needs and local realities, creating a balanced campus environment that nurtures well-rounded graduates, and strengthening community engagement through extension activities.
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He emphasised that higher education must prepare students not merely for employment, but also for meaningful participation in community life.
The lecture was followed by an interactive question-and-answer session, during which participants engaged with the speaker on various aspects of Gross National Happiness, higher education and the relevance of indigenous perspectives in contemporary society.
The programme was chaired by I Narola Imchen, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Chemistry and the introductory note was delivered by Dr I Wati Imchen, Principal of Fazl Ali College and Chairperson of IQAC. Following the introductory note, there was also the release of the publication – “FAC Annual Lecture: Lecture Series I, Inaugural Edition 2025,” by Dr I Wati Imchen, Principal of Fazl Ali College , marking the documentation of the first edition of the annual lecture series.
