In a significant acknowledgment of scholarly excellence, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu recently lauded the substantial academic contributions of Professor Dr. Prakash Divakaran, the esteemed Vice Chancellor of Himalayan University. This commendation took place during a pivotal roundtable discussion involving vice chancellors from across India’s northeastern region, convened in Pasighat. The core agenda of this high-level gathering revolved around invigorating the landscape of higher education through pioneering innovations, strategic collaborations, and robust skill development initiatives.
During the distinguished inaugural ceremony of the roundtable, Professor Divakaran presented Chief Minister Khandu with a copy of his co-authored book, titled “Empowering Minds, Transforming Lives: Sree Narayana Guru’s Philosophy of Education & Skill Development.” The Chief Minister expressed profound appreciation for Professor Divakaran’s dedicated academic endeavors and his persistent efforts to propagate the profound educational philosophy and expansive social vision espoused by Sree Narayana Guru.
Professor Divakaran, who maintains significant professional ties with Pune, currently leads Himalayan University, located in Jollang, Itanagar. His tenure has been marked by substantial contributions to advancements in higher education, impactful research, fostering innovation, and initiating valuable academic collaborations that extend the university’s influence.
The intellectually stimulating roundtable event was a collaborative effort, jointly organized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), New Delhi, and the National Raksha University (RRU), specifically its EDLD and Pasighat Campus. The overarching theme that guided the discussions was “Transforming Higher Education: Innovations, Collaborations and Strategies for a Future Ready India.” This theme underscored the urgent need for progressive reforms in the educational sector.
The event served as a crucial platform, uniting an influential assembly of vice chancellors, senior academic leaders, influential policymakers, and leading education experts. Their collective purpose was to engage in thoughtful deliberations on the evolving challenges and myriad opportunities within higher education, with a particular emphasis on addressing the unique contexts and needs of the Northeast Indian states. The wide-ranging discussions encompassed critical areas such as fostering innovation, strengthening institutional collaboration, enhancing educational quality, integrating technology-enabled learning solutions, promoting cutting-edge research, developing essential skills for the modern workforce, and formulating comprehensive strategies to cultivate a higher education ecosystem that is prepared for future demands.
The notable attendees at this significant gathering included key figures such as Mutchu Mithi, the Home and Education Advisor; Kaling Moyong, the State BJP president; Ninong Ering, HPD Advisor; MLA Engr Tapi Darang; Oken Tayeng; and Oni Panyang. Senior academic and administrative representatives also played a crucial role, with Dr. Amarendra Pani, Joint Director of the Association of Indian Universities; Dr. Avinash Kharel, Campus Dean of National Raksha University; and Dr. Sanjeev Singh, Director of RRU Pasighat Campus, contributing their expertise.
The recognition bestowed upon Professor Divakaran for his extensive academic work at this roundtable served to underscore the indispensable role of visionary academic leadership and the vital importance of knowledge exchange in bolstering higher education institutions throughout the northeastern region. The discussions held during the event were predominantly focused on forging stronger institutional collaborations and strategically preparing higher education systems to effectively meet the complex requirements of a future-ready India, aligning with the broader national vision of Viksit Bharat.
