IMPHAL, August 8: Oriental College received another shot in the arm today, after getting the autonomous college status in June this year. A sanction of Rs 2 crore was announced by the Education Minister M Okendro on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee celebration of the college.
The fund will be sanctioned from the Rashtriya Uchchattar Shiksha Abhiyan, RUSA. During today’s function, a souvenir was also released.
Okendro speaking on the occasion appealed to the students of the State not to get involved themselves in any issue which are not related to education. He said when police act on them to control agitation, they naturally feel irritated.
He added that State government has taken up lots of initiatives for the improvement of education system in the State to create Education Tourism. The education scenario has improved this year, compared with last year, which shows that education has come back on the right track.
He stated that the government know the difficulties and the problems faced by the students, and the Government is trying hard to solve the problems.
He added that to provide qualified teachers to the students, 7500 teachers are conducting training under IGNOU. At the same time, the government is trying hard to fulfil the requirements of every institution. He appealed for the academic community to have patience as the process will take some time.
He also added that the Government is also concerned about the welfare of teachers. But he also warned that strict action will be taken against non-performing teachers.
A memorandum was submitted to the Minister by the students’ union of the college, which demanded adequate lecturers and infrastructures for the college. The Minister gave a positive nod to their demands, and maintained that it will however take some time.
Minister of Social Welfare and Co-operation, AK Mirabai, who was also present at the celebration, said that the autonomous status for the college is for the betterment of future generation, and to maintain the status the authorities must abide by its instructions properly, and equally the present generation of students should work harder than before.
She assured that she will be taking initiatives personally for the development of the college.
Prof H Nandakumar Sarma, Vice Chancellor of Manipur University lauded the college for getting the autonomous status, which is the first college in the state and third in the Northeast to do so.
He appealed to the college authorities to take up various vocational courses for the welfare and development of students’ educational environment.
Principal of the Oriental College, Dr Th Biren said that the college has 13 departments and has produced many talented students. Getting autonomous status is a history not only for the college, but it will also give an impetus in the development of the higher education as a whole in the State.
He further said that the college has overcome many difficulties to acquire the status.