Dimapur: Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) will establish an institute of higher studies at Chuchuyimlang, Mokokchung district in collaboration with Nagaland Gandhi Ashram (NGA) and with active cooperation of Chuchuyimlang Village Council. A Memorandum of Understanding to this effect was signed between the two organisations on April 29 last at the TISS campus in Mumbai. TISS, which is recognised as a Deemed University by University Grants Commission, is an institute of international repute and has made consistent contributions to civil society and the development sector through its education, research, field action and extension programmes, stated Dr. Aotoshi, Trustee, Nagaland Gandhi Ashram in a press release. The institute offers courses on Social Work, Development, Education, Humanities, Environment and other related disciplines.
The campus at Chuchuyimlang envisages setting up of a series of Centres of Excellence in phased manner. The proposed centres are – Institute of Social Work, Institute of Agriculture Development, Institute for Teachers’ Training, Institute for Vocational Studies and Training, Cultural Resource Centre for Naga Art & Crafts, and Gandhi Museum and Study Centre comprising Gandhiana and Nagaland/North Eastern affairs.
According to the note, it is being seriously contemplated to start the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Social Work which will offer Master of Social Work (MSW) course from the Academic Session 2014-15. The formal announcement in this regard is expected to be issued in due course. The rest of the institutes are proposed to be established in phased manner. The campus will be developed at a sprawling 232 acres of land donated for the purpose by Chuchuyimlang Villagers without any cost or condition.
The note recalled that the Mahatma Gandhi Centre for Social Work was established in collaboration with IGNOU in 2010 which has produced two batches of MSW graduates. The Institute however had to be discontinued due to change in policy of IGNOU to abolish face to face programmes.
