The Inaugural program of Centre of Excellence for foreign Language was held at Department of linguistics, Nagaland University, Meriema on 9th September 2024.

During the inaugural program, Head Professor, Department of Linguistics, Pangersenla Walling said that the centre is an initiative of many different individual who has work together with a vision, and thanked the Chief Secretary Dr. J. Alam IAS in setting up of Centre and the IDAN Team lead by Joint Secretary, investment and Development Authority, Reny Wilfred IAS.

Walling said it’s a collaboration by all the department and not only Nagaland university but through the active initiatives of IDAN. She informed that the main objective was to establish Nagaland as a hub of learning foreign languages and that this centre will not only offer a wider educational course for the students but will also foster employment and opportunities both domestically and internationally and help enhance skills development for young professionals seeking jobs.

She also mentioned that this centre is a generous sponsor by the State Government through the Innovation fund under Planning & Transformation Department for which the major percentage of fund will be used to subsidise the students fee. She further mentioned the two categories for learning Japanese language and culture was that the students who want to seek employment opportunities in Japan, and said 5 students out of 33 student in-rolled for Japanese language from the centre of excellence for foreign language under Nagaland University have found placement in different companies in Japan.

Joint Secretary, IDAN, Nagaland, Reny Wilfred, IAS said that the responsibility of introducing the centre of excellence for foreign languages given to IDAN, Nagaland marks a milestone in Nagaland history in paving the way for the youths of Nagaland as well as abroad. He thanked the Chief Secretary Dr. J Alam for the initiative and his unwavering determination to get it done.

He also mentioned that the introduction of foreign language could be a turning point for the youths of Nagaland in many ways and also the students who are learning languages have a higher potential to earn in core aspects of Japanese life and in other areas. Reny, in his closing remarks said that he hopes that in future it will actually have a degree course and a doctorate course in foreign languages.

Chief Secretary, Dr. J. Alam said he was very happy to be a part of the inaugural Program of centre of excellence for foreign language, and said the partnership with Japan has been going stronger and many initiatives such as a major scheme in forest department for conservation is being implemented with the help of Japanese assistance.

He also thanked the IDAN Team for being the moving force behind this initiative and the original idea for the centre of excellence for foreign language was brought up by IDAN, and also thanked the Nagaland University authorities for accepting the idea and for providing all the resources.

(Kazihito Kibami, IA)