A three-day National Workshop on Basic Hands-On Training in Computational Linguistics was inaugurated on Monday at the Department of Linguistics, Nagaland University, with the participation of faculty members, research scholars, students and invited guests. The session was chaired by Dr Arenkala Ao, Assistant Professor, Department of Linguistics. The event opened with a warm welcome that acknowledged the presence of Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof Venuh, Dean of the School of Humanities Prof Jano S Liegise, the workshop’s resource person Dr Amalesh Gope and Head of the Department Prof. Pangersenla Walling.

The welcome address highlighted the growing importance of computational linguistics in an increasingly digital academic landscape and encouraged participants to engage deeply with the sessions ahead.

Prof Pangersenla delivered the opening remarks, stressing the need for developing digital competencies in linguistic research. This was followed by a felicitation ceremony in honour of Dr Amalesh Gope, recognizing his contributions to the field and his role as the workshop’s main resource person. Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof Venuh then shared his greetings, offering words of encouragement and sharing his thought-provoking insights on Naga languages.

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A traditional folk song by Seyisenou added a cultural enrichment to the programme, celebrating the region’s linguistic diversity. Dean Prof Jano S Liegise addressed the gathering with reflective remarks on the significance of interdisciplinary learning and the evolving nature of linguistics in the digital age. The session concluded with an address by Dr Amalesh Gope who highlighted the relevance of computational tools in contemporary linguistic research and motivated participants to make the most of the hands-on training.

The inaugural programme set a positive tone for the three-day workshop, which aims to equip participants with foundational skills in computational linguistics while fostering academic curiosity and collaboration. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr Pinky Waikhom Devi, faculty, Department of Linguistics, formally bringing the inaugural session to a close.