As part of academic and extracurricular activities, various programmes and activities were organised by educational institutions and other organisations for the student community and faculties.
NU Kohima campus: A special lecture on “Decolonising folklore research: An introduction” was organised by the Centre for Naga Tribal Language Studies (CNTLS), in collab
oration with the department of English at Nagaland University (NU) Kohima campus on May 21.
In a press release, NU PRO said while delivering the lecture, Dr. William Westerman, a Fulbright-Nehru Scholar for 2024 and Associate Professor at New Jersey City University, USA, focused on the imperative to decolonise folklore research methodologies and emphasized the importance of recognizing indigenous perspectives and narratives within academic discourse.
PRO said Dr. William’s insights provided valuable perspectives on how folklore research can move beyond colonial frameworks to embrace more inclusive and authentic representations of indigenous cultures.
NU Head of the Department of English, Professor Nigamanand Das, said the event was well-attended by faculty members, officers, and students who engaged positively with the program.
He claimed that the lecture stimulated thoughtful discussions and reflections on the ways in which academia can contribute to the broader decolonization movement.
Meanwhile, NU said the event marks a significant collaboration between the CNTLS and the Department of English, aiming to foster academic growth and cultural understanding within NU.
In a separate programme, a two-week capacity building programme for young higher education faculty members in social sciences on “Academic and Research Excellence in Higher Education” sponsored by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) was held on May 7-18. The valedictory programme was held at the Ladies Common Room (LCR) Nagaland University (NU) Kohima Campus with Professor VP Joshith from the department of education, Central University of Kerala as the chief guest.
Professor Joshith, who was also one of the resource persons, expressed his close connection with the Department of Education and Teacher Education of Nagaland University, Kohima campus.
He encouraged the participants to active participation and interaction throughout the sessions, saying that learning should be fun and as educators, they have displayed enthusiasm in academic discourse.
Earlier, ICSSR- CBP Co-course director, Dr. Boyillapalli Venkata Rao expounded the purpose and objective of the two-week CBP.
BCK: A two-day professional sound management workshop was organised by the Task Force for Music & Arts (TaFMA) in collaboration with the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) Baptist College, Kohima (BCK) on May 21-22 at Regional Centre of Excellence for Music & Performing Arts (RCEMPA) Jotsoma.
BCK said the event was a follow-up of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two institutions and with the vision of imparting skills to educated youths.
In his speech, guest of honour, director, youth resources and sports, Kethosituo Sekhose, exhorted the students on the importance of investing in capacity building and skill-based activities. Sekhose spoke about how colleges and educational institutions can ensure that their students are not only academically proficient but also ready to meet the demands of the modern workforce and contribute positively to society. Project director, TaFMA, Dr. Hovithal Sothu, spoke about how the department was committed to providing a platform for the growth and development of Naga youths toward skill up-gradation.
Highlighting the need for skill-based training and education among young people, particularly the student community, IQAC coordinator BCK, Dr. Sentinaro, asserted the importance of skill-based activities which allow learners to apply theoretical concepts in real-world scenarios, solidifying their understanding and making the knowledge more tangible.
Altogether, 25 students attended the two-day workshop, which included both theoretical and practical sessions, with sound engineer, TaFMA, Marcus Geisuo, as the resource person.
Tetso College: A lecture on “A sociological approach to folklore as a discourse on power: Three propositions” was given by associate professor, Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work, at New Jersey City University (NJCU), USA, Dr. William Westerman, on May 22 and attended by the graduate students and faculties of Tetso College.
Dr. Westerman, who at present is serving as a Fulbright-Nehru Scholar at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), discussed the discipline of folklore studies and how this discipline has historically been divided between literary and anthropological approaches.
He considered folklore through a sociological lens, looking at how power, exclusion, community, and cultural capital are negotiated through unofficial and informal yet aesthetic or folklore expression.
Dr. Westerman also went on to discuss how folklores can be seen as materials for building group solidarity and identity. The lecture highlighted folklore as a living tradition, an integral part and parcel to the social practices, rituals, and everyday lives of people.
Tetso College said the event marks the culmination of a fruitful year of substantial research activities and achievements by the college and its faculties.
Pungro, Kiphire: To commemorate World No Tobacco Day, a one-day awareness campaign was held on May 23 in two Government Schools under Pungro Kiphire. The team was led by medical officer, Community Health Centre (CHC) Pungro, Dr. Weri Mero. During the programme, the ill effects of tobacco, harmful effects of smoking, and the number of deaths per year that is caused by tobacco were highlighted.
After the programme Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials were distributed among the students.
Assam Rifles: Assam Rifles organised an event titled “A Day with Company Commander” for students of St. Stephen’s Higher Secondary School, Dimapur and New Thewati Middle School at New Thewati village, Phek, on May 22 and May 23 respectively. The program featured various activities, including interactive games.
The students also toured the quarter guard, aiming to strengthen the relationship between the Assam Rifles and the youth of Nagaland. 30 students and two teachers from St. Stephen’s Higher Secondary School, Dimapur and 80 students and three teachers from New Thewati Middle School participated in the programmes.