The Research Institute of World’s Ancient Traditions, Cultures and Heritages (RIWATCH), Arunachal Pradesh, and Kohima Science College (Autonomous), Nagaland, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on October 10 to promote academic cooperation, interdisciplinary research and the preservation of indigenous languages and cultural heritage in Northeast India.
The agreement was signed at the RIWATCH campus in Khinjili, Roing, by RIWATCH Executive Director Vijay Swami and Kohima Science College Principal Dr. Temjenwabang.
The partnership will focus on joint research, documentation and preservation of indigenous languages and cultural traditions, academic and student exchange, resource sharing and community-oriented programmes promoting education and cultural sustainability.
Swami said the collaboration marked an important step towards strengthening research cooperation across Northeast India and preserving the histories and languages of local communities. He also shared RIWATCH’s long-term aspiration to develop into a university, provisionally envisioned as the University of World’s Ancient Traditions, Cultures and Heritages (UWATCH).
Temjenwabang acknowledged RIWATCH’s contributions to language documentation and cultural preservation, describing the MoU as a foundation for a lasting partnership based on shared knowledge, mutual respect and the promotion of traditional knowledge.
The Kohima Science College delegation included Vice-Principal Kevilhuninuo Nagi, Anthropology Department Head Dr. Moarenla Longkumer, Research and Development Centre Convenor Dr. Mhathung Yanthan, and Internal Quality Assurance Cell Coordinator Dr. Lilongchem Thyug.
Representing RIWATCH were Centre Head of the RIWATCH Centre for Mother Languages Dr. M. S. Awan, faculty members Dr. Nandini Dholepat and Dr. Karabi Baruah, along with other researchers.