Nagaland: Temjen I Along urges skill-based education, inaugurates PM-USHA projects in Dimapur
Reported by Bhadra Gogoi
Dimapur: Nagaland Higher Education Minister Temjen Imna Along on Saturday called on educational institutions to equip students with the skills, innovation and adaptability needed to thrive in an increasingly dynamic and competitive world.
Speaking at the inauguration of three key infrastructure projects at Dimapur Government College under the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA), Along said the new facilities mark a major step forward in strengthening the state's higher education sector.
While welcoming the expansion of educational infrastructure, the minister noted that buildings alone cannot guarantee progress. He stressed that the primary objective should be to produce skilled, competent and employment-ready graduates capable of meeting modern workforce demands.
"Education must go beyond conventional learning. It should empower students through a holistic approach that transforms lives and prepares them for real-world challenges," he said.
Along observed that the quality of government-funded infrastructure projects in Nagaland has improved significantly in recent years, with several developments now comparable to, or even better than, those in the private sector.
Highlighting the issue of unemployment, the minister underscored the need to integrate skill development with academic education. He encouraged students to make full use of the newly established skill hub, saying higher education should not only provide degrees but also practical expertise that enhances employability and promotes self-reliance.
The projects inaugurated at the college include a state-of-the-art academic block constructed under the ‘Grants to Strengthen Colleges’ component of PM-USHA, an incubation centre-cum-skill hub designed to support entrepreneurship and skill development, and a girls' hostel built under the scheme's ‘Gender Inclusion and Equity Initiatives’ component.
The minister expressed hope that the new facilities would contribute to creating a more inclusive, innovative and future-ready learning environment for students across the state.