Chümoukedima, July 25: The International University, Nagaland on Saturday inaugurated its Academic Staff College along with the Naturopathy, Physiotherapy and Medical Laboratory Science/Pathology units in a programme attended by the Governor of Nagaland, Shri Nand Kishore Yadav, faculty members, students and invited guests.

The programme began with the Governor inspecting the newly established laboratories and other facilities before proceeding to the conference hall for the inaugural function. The event included the release of university publications, welcome and introductory addresses, and presentations on the university's infrastructure and academic initiatives.

Delivering the inaugural address, Governor Nand Kishore Yadav said the establishment of the Academic Staff College marks an important step towards improving the quality of higher education in Nagaland. He observed that while modern infrastructure and technology are important, the strength of any university ultimately depends on the quality of its teachers. He said the new Academic Staff College would provide a platform for continuous learning, professional development and academic research, enabling educators to improve classroom teaching and benefit future generations of students.

The Governor also highlighted the significance of the newly inaugurated health science facilities, stating that they would strengthen practical education while also serving the healthcare needs of nearby communities. He encouraged students to become innovators, entrepreneurs and problem-solvers, and urged faculty members to promote research, critical thinking, ethics and empathy. Appreciating the university's growth over the past two decades, he said the institution has demonstrated that quality higher education can flourish in the Northeast and contribute meaningfully to the region's development.

Earlier, Prof. Zavise Rume, Director of the Academic Staff College, explained the need for establishing the institution. He said the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasises continuous professional development for teachers and recommends regular training programmes to enhance teaching quality. However, he noted that Nagaland has not had a dedicated Academic Staff College for the professional development of university and college teachers, limiting access to regular training opportunities.

Prof. Rume said the newly established Academic Staff College aims to bridge this gap by providing quality teacher education and professional development programmes for educators in higher education institutions across the state. He informed that the college will organise induction and orientation programmes for newly recruited faculty, refresher courses, faculty development programmes, seminars, workshops, conferences and research collaborations through both offline and online modes.

He added that the institution also envisions partnerships with universities, government agencies and industry, with the long-term goal of becoming a centre of excellence in teacher education and professional development for the entire Northeast region.