NU Lumami confers 115 Degrees; Highlights Rs. 6.67 Crore in research grants and 170 patents

Nagaland University, the only central university in the state, held its Seventh Convocation on April 15, 2025, at its headquarters in Lumami. The event celebrated the academic accomplishments of 6,683 graduates, postgraduates, and doctoral candidates from the university and its 76 affiliated colleges.

Among the 115 graduates, 38 Gold Medallists and 30 PhD awardees were specially recognized for their exemplary academic achievements during the ceremony. La Ganesan, the Hon’ble Governor of Nagaland and Chief Rector of Nagaland University, was the Chief Guest at the event, joined by Dr. Samudra Gupta Kashyap, Hon’ble Chancellor of Nagaland University, and Prof. Jagadish Kumar Patnaik, Vice Chancellor of Nagaland University.

The convocation also highlighted the significant progress the university has made in recent years. Over the past two years, Nagaland University generated Rs. 6.67 crore in research grants from external funding agencies and provided Rs. 1.57 crore in seed money to support young faculty members with start-up research grants. The university has also filed 170 national and international patents, with more than 75 granted to date. Additionally, over 1,000 research articles, books, and anthologies were published by the university’s faculty, many of which are Scopus-indexed. Three faculty members of Nagaland University were ranked among the world’s top 2% of scientists in the Stanford Ranking this year.

Nagaland Governor and Chief Rector of Nagaland University, La Ganesan, on Tuesday called upon graduating students to embrace their role as nation-builders in India’s march toward becoming a developed nation by 2047.

“You now represent Nagaland University as brand ambassadors, as stewards of this nation, and as keepers of a profound heritage that blends ancient traditions and modern advancements,” said Ganesan. He encouraged students not to hesitate in exploring prospects beyond the state and to actively participate in shaping India’s economic future, which he described as full of potential.

“This achievement merits each student as a skilled individual, opening up a wider range of opportunities in the coming years,” he said, adding that the responsibility now lies with the students to shape their own destinies. “Your teachers have equipped you with knowledge and skills, but it is you who must now navigate the challenges ahead.”

Prof Jagadish Kumar Patnaik, Vice Chancellor of Nagaland University, presented the Convocation report, expressing pride in the achievements of the graduating class and the university’s growth. “We continue to strengthen our foundation in research, infrastructure, and global partnerships, while remaining committed to academic excellence and community development,” he stated. He urged graduates to embrace their new roles as leaders and positive change-makers.

Nagaland University, which has 6 Schools of Studies, 43 Departments, and 5 UGC-sponsored Centers of Studies across three permanent campuses, currently employs 259 permanent faculty members and serves a student body of 26,585, including those at affiliated colleges. The university has implemented the National Education Policy 2020 and introduced a Four-Year Undergraduate Program with provisions for Multiple Entry and Exit options. A significant initiative was the launch of a Four-Year UG program in basic sciences under the Multidisciplinary Research Centre at Lumami Campus, aimed at boosting STEM education in Nagaland.

MT