Nagaland University marks its 33rd foundation day at Lumami, highlighting research milestones and patent achievements.
DIMAPUR — Nagaland University celebrated its 33rd foundation day at its headquarters in Lumami on Monday, highlighting research achievements, national recognition for patents, and its growing innovation ecosystem.
The celebrations brought to light the university's contribution to research, regional relevance, and national impact, while recognising outstanding contributions by teachers, researchers, students, and non-teaching staff, according to a press release.
Established in 1994 by an Act of Parliament, Nagaland University comprises six schools, 43 departments, and five centres of study, with permanent campuses at Lumami, Kohima, and Medziphema, and affiliated colleges across Nagaland.
The university has 242 teaching and 618 non-teaching staff. During 2025-26, it awarded 100 PhDs, 791 postgraduate degrees, and 6,452 bachelor's degrees, in addition to degrees in BEd, MEd, Nursing, and LLB programmes.
Vice-Chancellor Jagadish Kumar Patnaik attended the event as the chief guest, with Registrar Dr. Abemo as the guest of honour, and Dr. Pitheli K Jimo from the Department of Sociology chairing the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Patnaik said, “Nagaland University has all the intellectual and other resources needed to reach greater heights. Our responsibility is to tap these resources to their fullest extent and transform the university’s potential into reality. That transformation is already unfolding, particularly through research, innovation and the creation of start-ups.”
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He noted that the university's emergence as a centre for start-ups and innovation demonstrates the potential of a higher education institution located in a remote region to generate nationally relevant solutions.
It was noted that in 2025, Nagaland University was reported as the top government university in India for patents granted over the preceding three years, with 97 patents. In the India Today India’s Best Universities 2026 rankings, it ranked second among government universities in India for patents granted and fifth for patents published, with 68 patents granted over the three cited years.
The Vice-Chancellor’s Awards 2026 were presented during the event. The Best Teacher of the Year awards went to Dr. Lobeno Mozhui (Sciences, Department of Zoology), Dr. Sentikumla (Social Sciences, Department of Law), and Dr. Sentirenla Jamir (School of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Horticulture).
Best Non-Teaching Employee awards were conferred on Yanpothung Murry (assistant, Academic and Conference Section, Lumami), I Pangerwati (driver, Transport Section, Kohima), and A Yanpothung Tsopoe (junior engineer, Engineering Wing, Medziphema).
Best Research Scholar of the Year awards went to Therola Sangtam (Sciences, Chemistry), Repakaba Tzudir (Social Sciences, Sociology), Kelhoukhrietuo Nagi (Management), Moon Moon Mech (School of Engineering and Technology, Biotechnology), and Ujjwal Singh (Agricultural Sciences, Horticulture).
Best Postgraduate Student awards were presented to Debajit Gogoi (Lumami, Chemistry), Kenyutsinlo Kent (Kohima, Centre for Naga Tribal Language Studies), and Imtitoshi (Medziphema, Entomology). Subham Das, BSc (Agri), received the Best Undergraduate Student of the Year award.