Nagaland University adds International Student and Research Scholars Hostels at Lumami

DIMAPUR — Nagaland University inaugurated its new International Student and International Research Scholars Hostels at Lumami on August 25.

According to a press release issued by Nagaland University, the event was a significant occasion that celebrated the institution’s commitment to academic excellence, student welfare, and infrastructure development.

It was attended by the chief guest, Satinder Kumar Bhalla, secretary of the Northeastern Council (NEC), and the special guest, Som Kamei, the planning adviser of the NEC.

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Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest, Bhalla, congratulated the university on the successful completion of the hostels, praising its recent academic achievements, including the grant of over 150 patents.

He spoke of the university’s vital role in creating future leaders who will contribute to the vision of a "Viksit Bharat" and advised them to explore additional funding streams from alumni and the private sector.

Kamei expressed his full alignment with the secretary’s thoughts and his personal happiness with Nagaland University’s progress. He reiterated the importance of academic institutions attracting investors from the private sector and leveraging corporate social responsibility (CSR) to secure funding.

Earlier, a brief project report was presented by Rukusayi Rhakho, the executive engineer of Nagaland University. He noted that it was funded by the NEC with a total cost of INR 4.76 crores. The engineer added that the two identical buildings each have a total built-up area of 270.55 square metres and a capacity of 20 seats, bringing the total student capacity to 40 seats.

He highlighted that the project, which began in June 2021, was completed in December 2024, addressing a pressing need for student accommodation on campus.

Registrar, Dr. Abemo, in his speech, highlighted the significance of the NEC secretary’s first-ever visit to the Nagaland University headquarters. He acknowledged the university’s long-standing infrastructure challenges and thanked the NEC for its past support on various funded projects.

Dr. Abemo also took the opportunity to place a request on behalf of the university, asking for NEC’s assistance in constructing three futsal grounds to attract both students and employees to the campus. Furthermore, he requested help with building more hostels for students of the School of Engineering and Technology (SET) to support their recent shift to the main campus in Kohima.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. JK Patnaik, shared ambitious plans for the future, including the construction of 20 more buildings and other essential facilities over the next two years.

Patnaik also took pride in highlighting the university’s recent academic and research achievements, informing the guests that four faculty members were ranked among the top 2% of scientists in the Stanford rankings and that the number of PhD student admissions had increased several-fold.