Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 13:
The first anniversary of the conversion of Manipur University into a central University was celebrated today as Manipur University Day at the recreation hall of MU with Education Minister L Nandakumar as chief guest.
The celebration presided by Vice-Chancellor Ch Amuba was also attended by Lok Sabha MP Dr T Meinya, former VC Prof N Bijoy, Dean of Humanities Prof Devraj, Dean of Social Sciences Prof Joykumar and Dean of Sciences Prof Ph Yadav as guests of honour.
Dignitaries at the first anniversary celebration of MU's upgradation to Central University
Saying that many developmental works and installation of necessary infrastructure could not be implemented in time due to financial constraints earlier, Education Minister Nandakumar assured that the State Government would take due responsibilities under the patronage of the Union Government to develop Manipur University by providing all the necessary infrastructure for a modern University.
Concerning shortage of teachers, he disclosed that the State Govt is working to appoint required school teachers.
He declared that only those trained for teachers would be appointed.
In his presidential speech, VC Amuba noted that the existing space of just 286 acres of MU is too congested for a central University.
There would come a time when MU would need greater space.
As such, there is great need to plan and arrange a second campus for MU at a place probably in a hill location.
June 24 this year, finance committee meeting on August 24 followed by academic council meeting yesterday.
Nevertheless he remarked that development works could be implemented more speedily in the coming years.
At present, MU has 25 different Departments including the newly established Department of Manipuri Dance and Department of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Moreover, budgetary allocations have been prepared to open the Department of Biotechnology and the Department of Sports and Physical Education, mentioned Amuba.
Speaking on the occasion, MP T Meinya observed that privatisation would not be able to re-invigorate the steadily declining schools and colleges.
Instead of privatisation, the need of the hour to save these institutions is to make them autonomous, he opined.
Taking a dig at students indulging in dirty politics, he remarked that there was nothing wrong to participate in politics concerning students.
He, however, advised them to stay away from political games unwanted by people.
Asserting that the number of Manipuri students pursuing higher studies in other States has exceeded the number of students studying in Manipur, he informed that the number of Manipuri students studying in Delhi has crossed 15,000.Noting that the huge expenditure of these large number of students is being drained away from the State, the MP conveyed optimism that the number of Manipuri students going to other States would decrease in the coming years with the development of Manipur University as a trustworthy centre of higher education.
During the celebration today, Prof Raikumar Award was also distributed, The Award carries a cash incentive of Rs 3000, a shawl and a citation.
The Award was conferred to L Momon of the MU Engineering Cell in recognition of his dedication and contribution towards development of Manipur University.