On Tuesday the 24th August 2021, the postgraduate course in Education was formally inaugurated over a zoom meeting.
With growth in population and more and more students having the desire to go for further studies, it has been realized that Mizoram University alone can no longer accommodate them all. With this view in mind, opening of PG Courses in colleges became an important topic of discussion among the authorities in higher education department under Government of Mizoram as well as authorities in Mizoram University. On the 15th May 2018, a meeting held jointly by government officials and Principals of colleges, passed a resolution in principle for opening of PG courses in different colleges, which was later finalized on the 26th October 2018.
In pursuance to the resolutions passed by the 8th Meeting of Mizoram State Higher Education Council (MSHEC) held on the 5th March 2019, the Higher & Technical Education Department, Govt. of Mizoram issued a No Objection Certificate and Recommendation for opening PG Courses from the academic session 2019 – 20 in several colleges, among them being Govt. Aizawl College in the departments of Mizo and Education. Application for permission to start these PG departments was submitted to the Registrar, Mizoram University, on the 29th April 2019. On the 13th May 2019, Mizoram University in its letter No. MZU/CDC-3/9/19/2324 issued a notification that a Common Committee was constituted to look into the feasibility of granting provisional permission to start PG Courses in the recommended colleges. The committee consisted of a convener and three members. The team visited the college on the 30th May 2019, held discussions with the Principal and interacted with the faculty members. The team inspected the classrooms and other physical facilities available in the campus. However, the team on its evaluation did not recommend that the Mizoram University authorities grant provisional permission to start the courses in the college because the team was of the unanimous opinion that the college did not fulfil the mandatory requirements. However, as per 36th Meeting of Affiliation Committee on 21st June 2019, vide its Resolution No. II, the Vice Chancellor, Mizoram University granted Provisional Permission to start PG Course in Education (M.A) at the college from the academic session 2020-2021, subject to fulfillment of the conditions put forward by the committee before starting the course (letter No. MZU/CDC-3/9/19/2364 Dated 1st July 2019).
On the 20th October 2020, a joint meeting of Principals and members of concerned departments of the three colleges opening PG Courses at the college level, namely the Department of Education, Govt. Aizawl College, the Department of History, Govt. Aizawl West College, and the Department of Commerce, Govt. Hrangbana College, was held at the Principal’s Chamber, Govt. Aizawl College, along with the Director, Prof. Lalbiakdiki Hnamte, CDC, Mizoram University. The meeting decided on working towards opening of the courses in their respective colleges. Proposed fee structures and advertisements were prepared in the meeting. The minute as well as proposed fee structures etc. were submitted to the Higher & Technical Education Department, Govt. of Mizoram.
The Minister of Higher & Technical Education, Dr. Lalthangliana was met at his chamber on the 5th November 2020 by the Heads of Departments and Principals of the said colleges. The meeting brought about a positive outcome. On the 17th March 2021, permission for starting Post Graduate Courses in three colleges with existing faculty was issued by the Director, Prof. Lalbiakdiki Hnamte, CDC, Mizoram University vide letter no. MZU/CDC-3/9/21/2569.
The Principal, Prof. C Sangluaii, constituted a Post Graduate Steering Committee on the 14th June 2021. The first meeting was held on the 17th June 2021 at the Principal’s chamber. The meeting resolved on opening the course for the 2021-22 session, and that an advertisement be put out one day after the UG results were declared. The advertisement was put out on the 26th July 2021, and an Entrance test was conducted online on the 3rd August 2021, with personal interviews conducted on Zoom on the 5th August 2021. The list of selected candidates was published on the 12th August 2021 on the college website and other social media platforms. The final number of students consists of 20. Classes started on the 23rd August through online mode. Induction for new students was conducted through zoom on the 24th August 2021. A classroom for the PG course has been prepared at the Sikulpuikawn campus when offline courses can be opened.
The inauguration programme was hosted by the Head of Department, Mrs. Vanlalsawmi. The Principal, Prof. C Sangluaii gave a welcome speech to the new students by encouraging them to give serious thought to their education so as to perform well in the examinations. She also thanked all the other participants for taking part in the programme. She also expressed her appreciation to all those who have put their efforts in the successful opening of the course, and expressed personal satisfaction that it could happen during her time as Principal.
The host then invited Mr. Thanglura, a former Associate Professor at the college, and former Additional State Project Director, RUSA, to speak on the efforts put forward for opening PG course at the college. He highlighted that the purpose of opening PG course was initially to improve enrolment ratio in higher educational institutions which is one way of fulfilling national policy, and not on giving employment, but the degree would enable them to become contributing members in the society.
Dr. Lalthansangi, a former teacher of the department at the college, was next invited by the host to give a short speech. She advised the new students to be dedicated and give extra effort so as to perform well in their studies. She wished the best for the newly introduced PG course.
The host then invited Dr. Mary L Renthlei to speak on topics relevant for the students about the college and the course. She presented her talk with the help of a powerpoint presentation introducing the students to the history of the college and the road to opening the course in the college. She then introduced the teachers along with the papers each was taking. She introduced the students to the various social media platforms of the college, to all the clubs and other extension services for the students, and invited them to take part in all the students’ activities conducted by the college. Then she gave a thorough introduction to the whole PG programme from first semester to the fourth semester, including various methods of assessment. The students were then requested to turn on their video and the host interacted with them amidst all the limitations involved with online sessions.
The inauguration programme ended with a vote of thanks from the host.
