Kohima College on Saturday hosted a one-day state-level seminar on the theme “Role of Interdisciplinary Research in Higher Education Institutions to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals.”
Funded by the Department of Higher Education, Government of Nagaland, and organised by the college’s IQAC and Research & Development Cell, the event brought together faculty, researchers and students from Kohima Science College, St Joseph’s College (Jakama), and several other institutions across the State.
The program opened with an invocation by T Shancholo Khuvung and welcoming remarks from Chairperson Dr Eunice Alinger (Associate Professor, History, RDC, KCK). Dr Alinger thanked the Department of Higher Education for its support and described the seminar as the culmination of a major initiative to promote faculty development through research funding. Tokens of appreciation were presented to distinguished guests, including Dr. K Nishena Nekha(Additional Director, Higher Education), keynote speaker Dr I Anungla Aier (Former Director, Higher Education), and Principal Dr Vitsosie Vupru.
In his welcome address, Principal Dr Vupru framed research as central to institutional growth and urged presenters to translate their projects into publications and policy-relevant outputs. He also thanked the Department of Higher Education for providing the platform and financial support.
Dr K Nishena Nekha, outlined the grant rationale, emphasising the transformative potential of faculty research and the Department’s aim to widen research participation. Acknowledging practical hurdles such as funding and competing duties, Dr. Nekha argued that research is accessible and essential: “Everybody can do something,” he said, calling for interdisciplinary teams to address complex state challenges like rural–urban migration, biodiversity management and climate adaptation.
Keynote speaker Dr I Anungla Aier delivered a wide-ranging address that positioned interdisciplinary research as necessary , not optional ,for tackling multifaceted development problems.
Drawing on her experience in multi-disciplinary projects, she stressed problem-focus, integration of knowledge, and the need to translate research into implementable policies. Dr. Aier highlighted priority areas for Nagaland, including urban planning, disaster resilience, ageing populations, and curriculum development that integrates traditional knowledge.
Sessions in brief
· Technical Session I (chair: Dr Medongunuo Ngone) featured applied science and modelling papers on thermoelectric materials, electrical resistivity surveys for Kohima town, mixed convection flow studies, and hydrologic basin modelling for Kohima district.
· Technical Session II (chair: Dr Prescilla Ezong) showcased work on museum digitisation, cricket rearing for livelihoods, sequencing of chickpea-nodulating rhizobia, traditional Angami architecture, and social research on social media’s effects on student wellbeing and performance.
The day concluded with remarks from Dr Kekhrieseno Christina (HoD, Sociology & Director, RDC, Kohima College), who emphasised the importance of collaboration in research. Thanking the Department of Higher Education, invited guests, faculty, researchers, rapporteurs, and participants, she stressed that interdisciplinary approaches are crucial to addressing today’s complex global and local problems from climate change and poverty to biodiversity and sustainability.
“We were very much enlightened by our keynote speaker Dr Aier, who highlighted the complexity of human problems and the inadequacy of a singular discipline,” she said. “This state seminar is one step forward towards innovative and comprehensive understanding of socio-cultural, economic, physical and scientific challenges. Interdisciplinary research promotes real application, policy impact, and the relevance of our work.”
Dr Christina also thanked the IQAC, RDC, and organizing committees for their tireless efforts, and acknowledged the active role of participants in making the seminar a success. The event ended with the distribution of certificates followed by a communal lunch.
