Itanagar, Mar 14: State Governor Lt General (Retd) KT Parnaik emphasized that higher education must progress with a clear and purposeful vision while addressing the 23rd Conference of Higher and Technical Education at the Golden Jubilee State Banquet Hall in Itanagar on Saturday.
Gracing the event as the chief guest, the Governor said universities must promote innovation, research, and creativity, encouraging students and faculty to develop solutions to regional challenges such as sustainable agriculture, biodiversity conservation, disaster management, and border area development. He stressed the need for focused research in areas relevant to the State, including Himalayan ecology, renewable energy, and indigenous knowledge systems.
Highlighting the transformative role of technology, the Governor described it as the “biggest enabler” in modern education. He called for integrate emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, robotics, coding, and data science into academic curricula. AI-enabled digital platforms, virtual laboratories, and smart classrooms, he noted, can help students in remote areas access quality education while reminding them to use AI as a learning aid rather than a substitute for critical thinking.
Advising institutions to nurture entrepreneurship, the Governor urged educational institutions to develop strong start-up ecosystems through innovation hubs, incubation centres, and start-up laboratories so that students can become job creators. He said sectors such as eco-tourism, agri-technology, handicrafts, and digital services hold immense potential for the State and align with the national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat.
The Governor also underlined the importance of values and inclusiveness in higher education and encouraged universities to promote community engagement, rural internships, and social innovation projects. He further stressed the need for collaborations with national institutions, international universities, and industry partners to strengthen research, faculty development, and global exposure, while building centres of excellence in Himalayan studies, biodiversity, and sustainable development.
On the occasion, the Governor felicitated pioneers of higher education in the State and presented awards including the Outstanding College Teacher Awards, Best NSS Volunteer Awards, Best Programme Officer Awards, Best NSS Unit Award, and awards for Undergraduate Toppers and APSCTE Toppers. He also released the book “Shifting Cultivation: Traditions and Practices adopted by the Tangsa Tribe” authored by Dr Odol Pertin, Principal of Jomin Tayeng Government Model Degree College, Roing.
Among those felicitated were Dr Giasuddin Ahmed and Dr Khargeswar Bhuiyan, both retired faculty members of Jawaharlal Nehru College, Pasighat, for their contributions as pioneers of higher education in the State.
Dr Vinod Kumar Sinha of Government College, Bomdila and Dr Modang Reena of Wangcha Rajkumar Government College, Deomali received the Outstanding College Teacher Award 2025. Hiinyo Pombo of Jawaharlal Nehru College, Pasighat and Umek Lozi of Don Bosco College, Jollang were honoured with the Best NSS Volunteer Award 2025. Dakngam Riba of Hills College of Teacher Education, Lekhi and Ngamwang Lowang of Wangcha Rajkumar Government College, Deomali received the Best NSS Programme Officer Award, while Dorjee Khandu Government College, Tawang was conferred the Best NSS Unit Award 2025.
APSCTE Topper (Gold Medalist) Awards were presented to Miss Radhe Reela and Shri Manuj Konwar of Government Polytechnic College, Dirang and Shri Kobit Pradhan of Rajiv Gandhi Government Polytechnic College, Itanagar. University Examination Topper Awards were given to Miss Tam Sita and Miss Anita Mondal of Dera Natung Government College, Itanagar and Miss Chaney Lowang of Don Bosco College, Jollang.
Earlier, State Education Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona called for the committed efforts of all stakeholders to bring corrective measures in the education sector and highlighted the need for digital transformation in higher education.
Advisor to the Education Minister Mutchu Mithi, Education Commissioner Amjad Tak, and Director of Higher and Technical Education Dr Milorai Modi also addressed the inaugural session.
The two-day conference will include five technical sessions focusing on multidisciplinary and holistic education, implementation of the National Education Policy 2020, digital transformation in higher and technical education, skill development, industry-academic collaboration, entrepreneurship, faculty development, and institutional autonomy.