Our Reporter
Dimapur, Feb. 10 (EMN): A two-day national seminar on ‘Integrating skill development programme in higher education’ got underway at Livingstone Foundation International College, Dimapur, on Thursday. The seminar is being sponsored by ICSST-NERC.
Speaking at the inaugural session, the guest of honour and Pro Vice-Chancellor of Nagaland University, Professor M Aleminla Ao, said that skill development is considered as one of the critical aspects of job creation in India in today’s scenario.
‘Skills and knowledge were the driving forces of economic growth and social development for any country where students were the human capital,’ Aleminla said. She, therefore, stated that it was important to empower the students for the economic development of the country as well as for self-confidence, self radiant and future-ready.
Informing that 60% of India’s population comprised youth, she stated that Nagaland topped the lists of unemployment rate in the Northeast region. In this regard, she encouraged the youth to utilise their talent and skills and contribute towards the development of society. While acknowledging that many Naga youth have the potential to be successful, she lamented that laziness has impeded them to excel in their work.
While delivering the inaugural speech, chairman of Livingstone Foundation International (LFI), Dimapur, Andrew Ahoto Sema, stated that the pandemic has taken a drastic toll and has led to change of the mindset among the people.
Dr. Ahoto urged the gathering to think out of the box so that one could garner support and bring about substantive positive development. He also termed the event important as it would determine a person’s future.
He advised the students to gear up and think beyond academic grades and marks but also give equal emphasis on skill development stating that education with skills could boost in their life pursuit for success.
Sema said smart people keep their knowledge to themselves but wise people give it to others throughout their lifetime. He further stressed on the need to establish an academic staff college in Nagaland University.
During the technical session, resource person, professor of Education from Nagaland University, Kohima campus, Buno Liegise, spoke on ‘Multi-disciplinary approach to higher education in NEP 2020,’ while assistant professor of Education from University of Delhi, Dr. Sunita Singh, presented paper on ‘Teacher education in NEP 2020: A critical perspective on multidisciplinary approach.’
Ph.D scholar, Shafata Razak, also presented a paper on ‘Multi-disciplinary approach to higher education in National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’.
In the second technical session, director of Employment, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, government of Nagaland, Chiden Yaden, spoke on ‘Schemes and initiative through national skill development corporation,’ while research scholar from the Central University of Kashmir, Nahida Nabi, spoke on ‘Challenges in the implementation of skills development programmes in higher education’ and the research scholar from Nagaland University, Khriebeizomuo presented a paper on ‘Importance of skill development of persons with disabilities in higher education.’