Fazl Ali College in Mokokchung holds its second annual lecture on Gross National Happiness and higher education
DIMAPUR — Fazl Ali College (FAC), Mokokchung, organised the second edition of the FAC Annual Lecture Series on November 3, focusing on the philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH) and its relevance to higher education, indigenous knowledge and sustainability.
The lecture, an initiative of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), was organised to commemorate the college's founding day and promote academic engagement and intellectual development, according to an update.
Held on the theme “Higher Education and the Philosophy of Gross National Happiness: Indigenous Perspectives on Well-being and Sustainability", the lecture featured Karma Yoezer, Head and Lecturer, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Sherubtse College, Royal University of Bhutan, as the speaker.
Delivering the lecture, Yoezer spoke on Bhutan's philosophy of GNH, introduced under the vision of its fourth king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. He explained that development should not be measured merely through economic growth but also 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 called for a more holistic understanding of progress.
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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.
He also stressed 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.
Following the introductory note, Dr. I Wati Imchen, Principal of FAC, released the publication “FAC Annual Lecture: Lecture Series I, Inaugural Edition 2025", documenting the first edition of the annual lecture series.