Mokokchung and Jorhat institutions look to expand collaboration into academic, student and faculty exchanges
The recently established institutional partnership between FAC College, Mokokchung, Nagaland, and CKB Commerce College, Jorhat, Assam, is beginning to take shape through student and cultural engagement, with both institutions looking to broaden their collaboration into academic exchanges, seminars, faculty exchanges and joint research.
The two colleges held a cultural exchange program at the FAC Auditorium on August 29 under the theme “Bridging Borders, Celebrating Heritage”, bringing students from neighbouring Nagaland and Assam together to experience and understand each other’s cultural traditions.
Describing the program as “a window to our neighbour,” the comperes – Kilenmenla Longchar and Imkongkumzuk, said the exchange was an opportunity for students to look beyond the boundaries of the classroom and engage with the culture and perspectives of a neighbouring state.
FAC College Principal Dr I Wati Imchen said Nagaland and Assam would remain neighbours and therefore needed to maintain a relationship as good neighbours. He described the program as an invitation to “open the door to others” and understand each other’s perspectives.
He also noted that despite differences in geography and culture, core human experiences such as love and hope remain common.
Dr Kironmoy Chetia, IQAC Coordinator, CKB Commerce College, Jorhat, described the exchange as a moment of “gladness” and “hope,” saying that bringing students together would make them more aware of the diverse cultures and communities across the two states.
He said Nagaland and Assam had a long tradition of collaboration and that the initiative was an effort to continue that collaborative relationship among the present generation.
The exchange follows a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions. Toshisangla, Convenor of the Cultural Committee, FAC, told MT that CKB Commerce College was chosen for the program following the signing of the MoU, with both institutions having already begun working together in academic and other areas.
She said the cultural exchange was planned as a way to further strengthen the relationship between the two institutions.
Chetia said the colleges would look at other forms of collaboration in the future, including academic exchanges, student and faculty exchange programmes, seminars, conferences and collaborative research.
The partnership also comes against the backdrop of FAC College introducing the commerce stream this year, a development that contributed to its academic link with CKB Commerce College.
The program featured cultural performances by students, providing an opportunity for participants from the two institutions to showcase and experience traditions from Nagaland and Assam.
The initiative comes as an extension of the longstanding interaction between Mokokchung and Jorhat through trade, travel and education, with the two institutions seeking to give that relationship a new academic and student-oriented dimension.
