Nagaland Minister, Temjen Imna Along, inaugurated the Classroom Upgradation Project under RUSA 2.0 at Fazl Ali College, Mokokchung on June 8. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Mokokchung | June 8
Minister for Higher Education and Tourism, Temjen Imna Along on Monday announced that all major projects under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) 2.0 in Nagaland have been completed.
He made the statement while inaugurating the Classroom Upgradation Project under RUSA 2.0 at Fazl Ali College (FAC), Mokokchung, which he described as the completion of the “final nail” of the scheme in the state.
“All the major projects of RUSA 2.0 have been successfully completed, and we are one of the first states in the nation to complete RUSA 2.0 projects without any issues,” Along stated.
He said every government college that received projects under RUSA 2.0 had successfully completed the works and termed it an achievement for the Department of Higher Education.
The Minister acknowledged the role of college authorities, engineers and contractors involved in the implementation process, while stating that the department’s immediate focus would now shift towards timely completion of projects sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA).
Along informed that the government is working on four new model colleges at Tseminyu, Niuland, Noklak and Shamator, along with two colleges approved in principle at Tuli and Chümoukedima.
“I am not in a hurry for election. I am in a hurry that we should be able to finish all the new projects of PM-USHA. We should race with time, maintain quality and complete them soon,” he said.
The Minister further informed that under PM-USHA, Fazl Ali College is also receive another project, a girls’ hostel which will be inaugurated soon.
Highlighting support received from the Centre, Along said Nagaland had performed well under higher education schemes despite limitations in eligibility criteria.
“Our state does not come under the eligibility criteria to get many projects, but through cooperation and support, Nagaland has received significant approvals under PM-USHA,” he said.
He credited the Government of India and Union Ministry of Education for extending support towards higher education infrastructure in the state. He also acknowledged Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio, stating that the state government has consistently provided its share for higher education projects despite financial constraints.
“The state’s ability to provide its share is limited, but for higher education, he has never said no. Our files have never been turned down,” Along stated.
Speaking on the role of education in development, the Minister said the state must focus on transforming its human resources to compete with other parts of the country.
“The time of reformation is gone; the time of transformation is to be taken by all of us,” he said.
He maintained that Nagaland cannot progress in areas such as entrepreneurship, research, science and technology unless its human resources are strengthened.
“If our human resource is poor, our state will be poor. If our human resource is incapable, then our state will not be able to stand at the forefront with progressing states,” he stated.
Along also expressed concern that society was increasingly becoming “seekers of propaganda, fake news and half-truths” instead of seekers of knowledge, and said educational institutions have a responsibility to encourage informed thinking.
Referring to Fazl Ali College’s contribution over more than half a century, the Minister said the institution has played a significant role not only for Mokokchung but also for Nagaland.
He urged the faculty to continue their responsibility of shaping future generations, stating, “You are in the business of moulding the future of Nagaland.”
Earlier, FAC Principal Dr I Wati Imchen, delivering the welcome address, said the inauguration marked a new chapter in the institution’s academic journey.
“This building is not just an expansion of our infrastructure; it is an expansion of our capabilities,” he said.
The Classroom Upgradation Project was constructed at a cost of Rs 1.80 crore under RUSA 2.0, funded by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, and the Government of Nagaland.
According to the technical report presented by the Education Division, PWD (Housing), Kohima, the G+1 academic block has a built-up area of 353.40 square metres with four classrooms and toilet facilities. The building can accommodate around 120 to 180 students.
The project was executed by the Department of Higher Education, Government of Nagaland, with Imchatoshi & Sons Construction as the contractor.
The programme included a dedicatory prayer by Rev Lima Lemtur, Pastor, FAC Union Church, while Sentiyanger Pongen, Additional Secretary, Higher & Technical Education and SPD, PM-USHA, also delivered a short speech.
