The 13th meeting of the State Council for Technical Education (SCTE) was convened at the Directorate of Technical Education in Kohima on Friday, DIPR informed. The meeting was presided over by Advisor for Transport & Technical Education, Temjenmemba, who also serves as the Chairman of SCTE.

The Advisor emphasized the importance of technical education in Nagaland. The Technical Education Department currently operates nine Polytechnics and has a vision to expand its scope with a policy of consensus. The policy’s central agenda is to provide direction for the department’s expansion and development, clarifying its domain.

During the meeting, several key topics were discussed:

1. The house deliberated on renaming Computer Engineering to Computer Science and engineering at ICIT and Fashion Design & Apparel Production to Fashion Technology at Government Polytechnic Kohima.
2. The possibility of increasing the intake for the Civil Engineering course at Government Polytechnic Seithekema-C, Chümoukedima was explored. It was decided to raise the intake from 30 to 60 seats.
3. The introduction of a one-year Interior Design course for skill training at Government Polytechnic Peren, in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 vocational education.
4. The consideration of the progressive closure of all Diploma level programs at Khelhoshe Polytechnic Atoizu was discussed. If Civil Degree courses are approved, the members decide to upgrade and convert Diploma programs into Degree programs.

Matters pertaining to the comprehensive formulation of a Technical Education Policy in the state. The State Level Committee (SLC) will invite comments from all relevant departments to be presented to the government for a decision. The ratification of results for exams held in December 2022 and May 2023.

Professor Rajendra B Kakde, Advisor-1/One and Representative of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) in New Delhi, provided recommendations and insights during the meeting.

Commissioner & Secretary of Higher & Technical Education, Anenla T. Sato, IAS, as well as the Director of Technical Education and member secretary of SCTE, Er. Vipulhou Lhoungu contributed valuable input during the meeting.