Minister Temjen Imna Along with Dr Apeni Lotha and others during the farewell to its ongoing director Dr Apeni Lotha on December 21. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | December 21
The Directorate of Higher Education (DoHE), Nagaland today accorded farewell to its outgoing director Dr Apeni Lotha. Dr Apeni will be retiring officially as director of higher education on December 31 this year.
Speaking at the programme, Nagaland Higher Education & Tribal Affairs Minister, Temjen Imna Along said that even though Dr Apeni came to the department as director at the time of the pandemic, she brought drastic change to the policies of higher education in the state. Touching on the introduction of National Education Policy 2020, Along lauded her contribution, which, he said, is going to last for many decades in this nation and for the state of Nagaland.
Honje Konyak, Commissioner & Secretary for Higher & Technical Education said, “Today, we are celebrating the success story of Dr Apeni Lotha, who completed 35 years of service and retired in good health.”
Stating that the higher education deal with the human resource development and future generation, Dr Apeni called upon the principals and teaching faculties of all the colleges to take their responsibility with seriousness. She also urged the principals to work harder to fortify the college assessment and NAAC accreditation. She told them to put their best effort for effective implementation of National Education Policy.
Thanking the Grade IV staff, she urged upon them to continue to keep the good tradition of their well discipline attitude. Expressing her happiness in working with the additional director Dr Katoni Jakhalu, she was optimistic that the department would shine brighter when Dr Jakhalu take charge as the new director of higher education by 2022.
Dr Apeni thanked the technical education department, ministerial staff of the directorate and Nagaland College Principals Association (NCPA) led by president Dr Visakhonü Hibo for their unflinching support and hoped that the same trend will continue.
Dr Katoni Jakhalu, Additional Director Higher Education maintained that the people appreciated Dr Apeni for being so “professional” minded. “She gave her best to this department, for which we will remain ever indebted to her,” Dr Jakhalu said.
Dr Jakhalu said that Dr Apeni has initiated a joint inspection and survey of theological colleges in the state in order to streamline and ensure quality education even for theological students. “Even as you leave this department, we assure you that no matter what comes on way, we will uphold and defend the integrity of our department with all our strength and ability as you have done,” said Dr Jakhalu.
On behalf of principals of all colleges of Nagaland, Dr Ralimongla, principal Kohima College stating that the outgoing director always focused on improvement and development of higher education in the state, she said, “We honour you for your commitment to excellence.”
