View of Khelhoshe Polytechnic, Atoizu. (File Photo)
Zunheboto, July 1 (MExN): “It is a proud moment for the state as Khelhoshe Polytechnic, Atoizu (KPA) now gets the National Board of Accreditation (NBA),” stated the Principal of KPA Er M Nakro on Friday.
Nakro in a press release reported that this achievement makes KPA the first polytechnic in Nagaland to get NBA accreditation, and also one among few colleges in North-eastern states to have achieved this landmark — more precisely, the second in the entire region after Sikkim. “This achievement will hopefully pave the way for further growth of technical education in the state,” he said.
NBA is a prerequisite for upgradation, expansion, enhancement of enrolment and more for all the technical Institutions approved of by All India Council for Technical Education, New Delhi.
Nakro stated that hundreds of students from Nagaland had to go outside the state to obtain a degree in engineering and other technical courses. “This achievement is an aspiration of many Indian students — but till date, besides SETAM and NIT, polytechnic colleges in Nagaland have only been able to provide basic diploma courses. The Central scheme of NEQIP – AICTE which was implemented during 2013-17 had a target to achieve NBA and it is indeed a delightful achievement for KPA to have achieved this feat,” he reflected.
‘But today, things are progressing with a delightful development, the KPA, under the Department of Technical Education (DTE) Nagaland, has achieved a much-awaited status,’ he stated.
NBA has granted KPA accreditation for three Diploma programmes (Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Electrical & Electronics Engineering) to qualify for upgradation to Degree Engineering programmes, for the next three academic years starting in 2021 (till academic year 2023-24).
“With this long-dreamt of milestone coming to fruition, youths in the state can now aim to study right here and reach for the stars when it comes to a top-notch quality technical education at par with the rest of the country,” Nakro stated.
He also appreciated that ‘the vision of the government is now aligned with our young aspirants to provide to them access to modern technical education, interdisciplinary leaders, inclusive education and to upgrade the whole learning experience.’ He added that “the decision makers were indeed propelled by the drive of students striving for excellence in the technical field, who due to lack of the required facilities were not able to fully achieve their dreams. With this achievement, we will witness innovative undergraduate technical education that is truly transformative.”
“We wish and aim to reach new heights in the development of our state led by our Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, for granting additional funds for the facelift of the institute in respect of KPA and GPK, when going in for the NBA assessment with the constant moral and physical support received from Minister for Higher Education and Tribal Affairs, TemjenImna Along, and Adviser to CM, Technical Education and Election, Medo Yhokha,” he added.
Further, KPA Principal conveyed gratitude to NBA Chairman Delhi and his team for their dedication towards the process. “Under their visionary leadership and the tireless effort of the accredited programme HODs, all ranks and files of the technical department, faculties, staff and students of the institute that worked with zeal and determination, pulling together all available resources to cross the finishing line and achieve this remarkable milestone in our state of technical education journey, he noted.
Nakro also made mention of the contribution made by coordinator of NBA, late Er Vizekhol Rhutso, Principal-in-charge, Government Polytechnic, Aboi.
“We look forward towards a wonderful future for Nagaland driven by technical achievements and innovations to drive our collective progress and prosperity for our generation and for generations to come,” he concluded.
