Govt invites outside varsities to open branches in manipur
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, March 18 2013: As a fruit of the tireless effort being made by the State Government to bring about development in the education sector, there would be a visible change in the scenario of higher education system of the State by April next, Education Minister Moirangthem Okendro Singh has assured.

Moreover, as the Government aims to enhance higher education in Manipur, it has invited scores of distinguished private universities from outside to open their branches here, the Minister disclosed.

He was speaking as Chief Guest of the inaugural function of a memorial lecture programme organized in connection with 14th Death Anniversary of Ningombam Ibobi Singh at the conference hall of DM College of Arts here today.

The programme was held under the joint aegis of late Dr Ningombam Ibobi Singh Memorial Trust and the Political Science Department, DM College of Arts.

Education Minister Okendro lighting the inaugural lamp of a memorial lecture programme at DM College of Arts

Minister Okendro observed that the State is going to experience a visible change in the higher education from next month as a result of the untiring effort made by the government to develop the education sector in the State.

In this connection, invitations have also been sent out to various distinguished private universities from outside for opening their branches in Manipur.

Among them, AMITY University, a popular private university, has given positive response and it would be opening one of its centre here in the State every soon.

Reiterating that the State Government is all set to upgrade DM College into a deemed University, the Minister sought the co-operation and support of the people in the efforts being made for development of education sector in Manipur, and noted that the state Government alone cannot work for the improvement of education sector in the state without the support of the people and other NGOs working in the field.

The Minister also expressed optimism over successful implementation of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) in the State which would ultimately lead to rapid development in the working of not just the Government colleges, but also the aided and private colleges.

Under RUSA, the Centre would be providing 90 percent of the fund required for development of higher education while state has to meet only a minimal share of 10 percent, the Education Minister explained.

Acknowledging that that he has been receiving many complaints from students over lack of adequate faculties for pursuing post graduate studies other than Manipur University, which is the lone university in the State, Minister Okendro said that taking into consideration of this problem, the State Government has decided to upgrade DM College into a deemed University.

The Minister noted that now-a-days, people in Manipur are in the habit of raising their demands through undemocratic means and such protest often turns out to be fruitless.

Instead of such undemocratic means, the aggrieved parties or NGOs should air their voice only through democratic ways as there had been many instances in the past when demands of the people were fulfilled through such means.

Marked by offering of floral tributes to the photograph of late Ningombam Ibobi Singh, the function was also attended by Dr Adhikarimayum Nungshitombi Devi, Principal of DM College of Arts as President and Thounaojam Iboyaima Singh, social worker, as Guest of Honour.

The memorial lecture was delivered by Prof N Joykumar Singh of Department of History, Manipur University, as resource person.