DIMAPUR: Research Institute of World’s Ancient Traditions, Cultures and Heritages (RIWATCH) and Kohima Science College (Autonomous), Nagaland have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a comprehensive framework for academic cooperation, interdisciplinary research, and safeguarding of Northeast India’s linguistic and cultural heritage.
The agreement was signed on October 10, 2026, at the RIWATCH campus, Khinjili, Roing, Arunachal Pradesh, by RIWATCH executive director Vijay Swami and Kohima Science College principal Dr. Temjenwabang.
The partnership seeks to strengthen institutional ties between Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland through joint research projects, language documentation, cultural preservation, academic and student exchanges, and community oriented programmes.
Speaking at the ceremony, Vijay Swami described the collaboration as a vital step towards connecting Northeast India through unified research, stressing that institutional cooperation was essential for preserving the histories and languages of local communities. He also shared RIWATCH’s long term vision of evolving into a university-provisionally envisioned as the University of World’s Ancient Traditions, Cultures and Heritages (UWATCH).
Kohima Science College principal Dr. Temjenwabang lauded RIWATCH’s pioneering contributions to language documentation and cultural preservation. He said the MoU was more than a formal agreement, mentioning that it laid the foundation for a lasting partnership rooted in shared knowledge, mutual respect, and commitment to enriching traditional knowledge across the region.
The signing ceremony was attended by delegations from both institutions. Kohima Science College team included vice principal Kevilhuninuo Nagi, Dr. Moarenla Longkumer, Dr. Mhathung Yanthan, and Dr. Lilongchem Thyug. The RIWATCH delegation comprised executive director Vijay Swami, Dr. M. S. Awan, Dr. Nandini Dholepat, Dr. Karabi Baruah, along with associated faculty members and researchers.
