GOVERNOR’S SECRETARIAT
ARUNACHAL PRADESH
ITANAGAR

                                                           

No. IPR (PR)-03/2009                                                 Dated Naharlagun the 18th Feb. 2010

PRESS RELEASE No- 198 

Governor stresses on quality Higher & Technical Education for Skilled manpower
10th Conference of Higher& Technical Education held

Itanagar, Feb. 17: Arunachal Pradesh Governor Gen.(Retd.) JJ Singh inaugurated the 10th Conference of Higher and Technical Education, here on February 17 last.  Stating that for the foundation for an effective higher and technical education sector in the State, it has to have a strong primary education sector. Quoting Lincoln, he said – Give me six hours to chop a tree and I shall spend the first five hours sharpening the axe. Similarly, any effort at strengthening the higher education sector has to begin by fine-tuning the formal and informal primary education sector. This has to be the State Govt’s primary duty, he added, reports PRO to CM. 

                Governor pointed, however, while the focus of the Government should continue to be primary education, the mandatory obligation of providing quality higher and technical education to our students can certainly not be forsaken. Whereas primary education helps in extracting diamonds from hard rocks, higher education polishes these diamonds – it adds value to these diamonds and helps realize their true potential and value. We are fortunate that today, India is supplying a pool of talented and technically qualified manpower to the entire world. Unfortunately however, the share of Arunachal Pradesh in this pool continues to be abysmally low. We need to introspect and reflect on this.

            Gen Singh added, our State is passing through an exciting but challenging phase of development. Over the last two years, the state has seen an unprecedented number of infrastructure projects being initiated and taking shape. These projects would require technically qualified manpower – both during gestation stage and for subsequent running and maintenance. We must ensure that this stock of quality man-power is available from within the State rather than importing it from places outside Arunachal Pradesh. It is therefore, an onerous responsibility on our professors and teachers to equip our students with such skills as are required for their gainful employment. Nothing succeeds like success and hence, the most effective way of promoting higher and technical education amongst students is to demonstrate the benefits that accrue from such learning.

            Stressing on quality teachers, especially science and mathematics, Gen Singh said, the government has now taken up a special project for construction of teachers’ quarters for science and mathematics teachers posted in remote villages. I am sure this would encourage our teachers to go to interior areas and help cater to those sectors of formal education system which have hitherto been neglected.

            Emphasizing on training of the trainers, he said the Institutes of higher education must seriously consider organizing regular in-service training and refresher courses for the skill-upgradation and knowledge updation of our teachers. “I had recently met Sh. Kapil Sibal, Union Minister for Human Resource Development in New Delhi and requested for his support for bringing about qualitative and quantitative changes in the educational scenario of our State. I have also asked him to send National Award winning teachers to the State for conducting educational camps and also for providing training to our State teachers. He has promised to send a high-level official team to study the existing education scenario and take appropriate steps after receiving feedback. I hope it will definitely give impetus to our efforts of providing better educational opportunities to our Children.”

                Disclosing more on his personal endeavour, he said, “during a recent visit to my regimental center at Belgaum, I had asked the Chancellor of KLE University for helping the students of Arunachal Pradesh gain access to higher and technical education by providing admission and financial scholarships for their study at the University. The Chancellor has responded very positively to my request and assured all help to the deserving and needy students of the State.”

            He further informed that he has taken up with Wadia College, Pune for exchange programme and requested education minister to take follow up action.

Stating that, an educational system isn’t really worth a great deal if it teaches young people how to make a living without teaching them how to make a life, Governor expressed his hope that the recommendations that will be firming up by the end of the two-day will certainly provide useful guidelines to the policy makers in planning better for the Educational sector in the State.

            He also congratulated the persons felicitated and those received awards on the occasion and expressed his hope that they will be inspirational to others.

            Guest of Honour, State Education Minister Bosiram Siram in his address called for improvement of the education in the State. Stressing on the quality aspects of the public instruction, Education Minister urged upon the educationists to be sincere and dedicated. Siram disclosed,” I joined politics on two issues that are, health and education. I am standing here today, because of my teachers and I have highest admiration for them.”

            Speaking on the occasion Prof. Mibang called for more contributions from the Higher and Technical education.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Higher and Technical Joint Director cum Direrct NERIST, Dr. Joram Begi said, “we are concerned about the quality of education in the state.” Citing problems of the department such as resource crunch, lack of infrastructure, over crowding, lack of congenial academic activities and student union activities, Dr. Begi called for consolidation and expansion of higher education. Stating that skill manpower is the need of the hour, H&T Director highlighted on provisions in eleventh Plan for new colleges and Polytechnics institutions. Dwelling in length on dismal  higher education scenario of the state, he expressed his hope at the end of the two days; new road map for the higher and technical education in the state will be structured. Higher and Technical Joint Director, Dr. Tejum Padu also spoke on the occasion. 

            The State Governor felicitated Dr. Balaram Chakravarty, former Principal, JN College, Pasighat and P.Potom, former Director of Higher and Technical Education as the pioneers of Higher Education in the State.

Making the occasion as affairs of excellence, the Governor conferred the Outstanding College Teacher’s Award 2009 to Dr. R. Kamaraj, Associate Professor, JN College, Pasighat and Dr. KC Mishra, Associate Professor, Government College, Bomdila on the occasion.

            The toppers of the university final examinations were awarded with Governor’s Award, which include a cash award of Rs. 10,000.00 (Rupees Ten Thousand) given by the Raj Bhavan. Ms Alka Rani Ojha of St. Claret College, Ziro received the award as topper of arts stream from the Governor, while Bikash Srivastava of JN College, Pasighat received for topping in Commerce stream. Miss Kamhun Aran of JN College, Pasighat received the topper’s award for Science stream.

            The Governor also presented the Arunachal Pradesh State Council for Technical Education Gold medals to toppers of polytechnic examination. Suman Pao, Ms Rituparna Acharjee and Lamgan Wangsu, all from Rajiv Ganhi Government Polytechnic received the medals for their respective streams.

            State Education Minister Bosiram Siram presented NSS Awards for the year 2009. Don Bosco College, Jully received the best NSS unit award, while Tashi Phuntso of Government College, Bomdila received the Best Programme Officer Award. Miss Mudang Rimung of Don Bosco College, Jully received the best volunteer award.

            The inaugural function also saw the releases of books. The Governor released a book titled, ‘Forest and CPR Management in eastern Himalayas, authored by Dr. A.I, Singh, while Education minister released one authored by Associate Professor Dr. Iqbal titled, ‘Joseph Conrad-His Mind & work.  Professor Tamo Mibang released a book titled, ‘Value Added Tax in North East India,’ by RK Mandal and State chief secretary Tabom Bam released the basic information booklet on Higher Education of the State. Dr. Zoram Begi released the NSS newsletter.

                        Technical session on the first day includeed  paper presentation on framework of quality management system in technical education by PD Kashyap and Debabrata Maji and presentation on role of quality circles and performance evaluation in maintaining quality in Higher and Technical education by Prof. Muralidhar. Dr. SJ Neethirajan spoke on role of IGNOU.

            A minute silence was observed as a mark of respected to the departed souls of senior officials of the department and fire victim children of Palin.

Sd/ D.Dodum,PRO