The Department of Higher Education, Government of Nagaland, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, on February 26 at the Directorate of Higher Education, Kohima.
The MoU, duly vetted and approved by the Government of Nagaland, was signed in the presence of Temjen Imna Along, Minister for Higher Education and Tourism, Government of Nagaland; Sarita Yadav, IAS, Secretary, Higher and Technical Education; V. Lovitoly Sema, NCS, Ex-officio Director of Higher Education; IMD representatives; and department officials.
Under the MoU, the Government of India has decided to install one X-Band Polarimetric Doppler Weather Radar in the state at Dimapur Government College, Oriental Colony, Dimapur, under the Mission Mausam scheme.
The installation is expected to improve weather forecasting and agricultural meteorology, particularly for the Nagaland region, and enable better policy planning and public safety measures to help save lives and property.
The formal institutional cooperation between the Department of Higher Education and the IMD will focus on enhancing understanding in the fields of urban meteorology and atmospheric sciences, along with mutually identified new research areas.
This approach will help both institutions improve understanding of weather hazards associated with the Nagaland region and strengthen operational weather forecasting, the MoU stated.
The IMD and the Department of Higher Education will also work together to develop new applications for mutual benefit. The partnership is expected to create opportunities for faculty members and students of higher educational institutions across Nagaland to engage in research, training, and knowledge exchange in emerging areas of weather and climate science, according to a DHE official.
The MoU will come into effect from the date of signing and will remain valid for a period of 20 years, or until amended through joint consultation between the IMD and the Department of Higher Education.
The collaboration marks a significant step towards strengthening scientific infrastructure in Nagaland and fostering a culture of research and innovation in meteorological sciences for the benefit of the wider community, the official added.
