Kohima / Dimapur : Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) media cell on Wednesday said that the Nagaland government has taken up initiative on the possibility of tying up with the government of UK in the fields of education, language development, music, culture and tourism.
According to media cell, state chief minister, TR Zeliang, took up the issue with Alan Gemmell, OBE, director of British Council (BC) in India, when the latter called him at his residence on Wednesday.
Gemmell revealed that the BC has been sponsoring more than 200 scholarships every year from all over the country to pursue higher studies in the Universities in the UK but not many were from the Northeastern region. In this regard, Gemmell wanted students from the region to avail the scholarships, media cell said. BC has also proposed training on teachers to impart further training to other teachers. The Council which is involved in teacher development programme in 13 states in India was also interested in tying up with the government of Nagaland, media cell said.
Further, CMO media cell said that Gemmell has also confirmed his availability to grace the 3rd day of the Hornbill Festival this year as chief guest.
In response, media cell said Zeliang suggested more awareness about the scholarship scheme among the student community of the region. He also suggested incorporation of skill development in the curricula of schools so that by the time student matriculate they would have some selected skills to rely on to earn their livelihoods, media cell said. Zeliang also assured to the visiting delegates that he would find out ways and means with the NEC to sponsor such programme in the State, while expressing his desire take up Human Capital Development. Further, Zeliang proposed setting up Music Academy in the State where local youth could be trained.
Others present during the meeting includes– parliamentary secretary of Youth Resource & Sports, Lotteries, Khriehu Liezietsu, officials from the British Council and state.
Gemmell, who also interacted with Entrepreneurs Associates, representatives from fashion and music industry and YouthNet, recalled the long and rich connections between Nagaland and UK and expressed hope that the council would be able to develop new connections in the fields of education and culture with Nagaland.
He also briefed the media persons on various topics, which he had discussed with the chief minister. Further, the director informed that BC has set its focus in the fields of culture and tourism particularly in Northeast and Nagaland with a “British Connect” so that strong relationship could be developed between the two. “We will find ways where opportunities are there to further strengthen with UK”, he added.
On education sector, Gemmell said BC has been offering scholarships across the country in varied subjects — art, design, maths, engineering, law and science. He, therefore, informed students from northeast region especially Nagaland to log on to britishcouncil.org to avail the scholarship.
Earlier, upon his arrival, Gemmell visited WW-II cemetery and also toured the Heritage Village, Kisama. He was accompanied by head BC, Director East India Dr. Debanjan Chakrabarti and BC, head English partnerships, East India Joydep Bordloi.
Note: News shared for public awareness with reference from the information provided at online news portals.
