Zunheboto Government College (ZGC) on Friday received a new Rs 4 crore academic building constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA), with Minister for Higher Education and Tourism, Temjen Imna Along, formally inaugurating the facility at the college campus.
The G+2 academic block, funded through the Ministry of Education, Government of India, and the Department of Higher Education, Government of Nagaland, was completed ahead of schedule and is expected to strengthen the college’s capacity as it expands its academic programs.
According to Er Nuhuta Tetseo, SDO, PWD (Housing), Education Division, the project was sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs 4 crore and awarded to Tott Enterprises on March 13, 2025, with a stipulated completion period of 24 months.
The newly constructed building comprises six classrooms and three toilet blocks with water supply facilities. Each classroom can accommodate between 60 and 75 students, giving the facility a total seating capacity of approximately 360 to 450 students.
Tetseo said the structure has also been designed to allow future expansion should additional funding become available.
Delivering the welcome address, Principal Dr R Bendangtemjen said the new building comes at a crucial time as the university has granted permission for the introduction of the fourth-year undergraduate programme and Honours in Education.
With student enrolment increasing and academic offerings expanding, he said additional classrooms had become an urgent requirement for the institution.
Addressing the gathering, Along described the new infrastructure as a significant milestone for the college and said its development reflected sustained efforts to strengthen higher education in the state.
He also announced plans to pursue the introduction of a Sociology department and a Science stream at the college, along with the creation of posts required to support the programs.
On behalf of the state government, the minister assured continued support for infrastructure development and urged students to become agents of transformation through education and skill development.
Highlighting the role of education beyond academic qualifications, Along said, “Education is more than a degree or a postgraduate title. It is a mindset and a way of contributing to society.”
The principal also highlighted additional requirements of the college, including security fencing and a gate for the girls’ hostel, an auditorium, an administrative block, staff quarters, the introduction of Sociology and Sümi Studies, and the establishment of a Skill Hub.
The program was attended by officials from the Department of Higher Education, representatives of Sümi civil society organisations, faculty members and students.