DIMAPUR: Nagaland University, the only Central University in the State, celebrated its 33rd Foundation Day on September 7, 2026, at its Headquarters in Lumami and Medziphema Campus, reaffirming its commitment to academic excellence, research, innovation and community engagement.
Established in 1994 by an Act of Parliament, Nagaland University has grown into a premier institution with six schools, 43 departments and five Centres of Studies, alongside permanent campuses at Lumami, Kohima and Medziphema, and 70 affiliated colleges across Nagaland.
The University currently has 242 teaching staff and 618 non teaching employees. During the academic year 2025-26, it awarded 100 PhD degrees, 791 postgraduate degrees and 6,452 bachelor’s degrees, in addition to B.Ed., M.Ed., Nursing and LLB programmes.
At the foundation day celebration, Prof. Jagadish Kumar Patnaik, Vice Chancellor, served as the chief guest, with Dr. Abemo, Registrar, as guest of honour, and Dr. Pitheli K. Jimo, Department of Sociology, as chairperson.
At Lumami, Vice Chancellor Prof. Jagadish Kumar Patnaik underscored the University’s progress in research, innovation and start ups, noting that governance, resource mobilisation and incentivisation had created an ecosystem fostering creativity and productivity. He highlighted achievements in publications, patents and innovations, stressing that the University’s emergence as a centre for start ups demonstrates the potential of institutions in remote regions to generate nationally relevant solutions.
Research addressing regional priorities was showcased, including studies on environment, biodiversity, indigenous knowledge, healthcare, agriculture and rural livelihoods. Initiatives such as the high yielding ginger variety ‘SAS KEVÜ’, biochar research, backyard poultry projects generating over Rs. 30 lakh for women’s SHGs, and advances in energy storage and quantum technologies reflected the University’s expanding portfolio.
Nagaland University has also gained national recognition for patenting and innovation, ranked No. 2 among government universities in India for patents granted and 5th for patents published in the India Today Best Universities 2026 rankings. Its Intellectual Property Rights Cell and Multidisciplinary Research Centre continue to strengthen translation of research into practical innovations.
The Foundation Day also featured the Vice Chancellor’s Awards 2026 recognising excellence among teachers, non teaching staff, research scholars and students.
At Medziphema Campus, the celebration commenced with the hoisting of the University flag by Dr. S. Girish Patil, director, ICAR NRCM, Jharnapani, followed by the University Anthem. Prof. Pauline Alila, Dean, SAS, emphasised perseverance and collaboration in carrying forward the University’s legacy. Pro Vice Chancellor in Charge Prof. V. K. Vidyarthi reflected on the University’s journey “from foundation to expansion, from expansion to excellence, and from excellence to impact,” urging ethics, integrity and social responsibility.
Delivering the foundation day lecture, Dr. Patil stressed the role of the University in strengthening agriculture in Nagaland and the Northeast, calling for a transition from subsistence to commercial agriculture, greater focus on value addition and marketing, and practical research roadmaps to support policy. He urged students to embrace digital literacy, emotional intelligence and interdisciplinary knowledge to become future ready.
The programme also featured cultural presentations, a blood donation drive, medical camp, exhibition match and movie night, adding dimensions of community service and student engagement.
