Lumami, Sep 07: Nagaland University, the only Central University in the State, celebrated its 33rd Foundation Day today at its Headquarters in Lumami, marking another milestone in the University’s academic, research and institutional journey.
The celebrations highlighted its growing contribution to research and innovation, regional relevance and National impact. The varsity also recognised outstanding contributions by its teachers, researchers, students and non-teaching staff.
The celebrations reaffirmed Nagaland University’s commitment to academic excellence, research rooted in regional priorities, innovation, multidisciplinary collaboration and contributing to the educational, social and economic development of Nagaland, the North-East and the nation.
Established in 1994 by an Act of Parliament, Nagaland University now comprises six schools, 43 departments and five Centres of Studies, with permanent campuses at Lumami, Kohima and Medziphema, and 70 affiliated colleges across Nagaland. The University has 242 teaching and 618 non-teaching staff. During 2025–26, it awarded 100 PhD, 791 postgraduate and 6,452 bachelor’s degrees, in addition to degrees in B.Ed., M.Ed., Nursing and LLB programmes.
Prof. Jagadish Kumar Patnaik, Vice-Chancellor, Nagaland University, was the chief guest of the event, with Dr. Abemo, Registrar, Nagaland University, being the Guest of Honour and Dr. Pitheli K Jimo, Department of Sociology, Nagaland University, being the Chairperson
Addressing the celebrations Prof. Jagadish Kumar Patnaik, Vice-Chancellor, Nagaland University, said,
“Nagaland University has all the intellectual and other resources needed to reach greater heights. Our responsibility is to tap these resources to their fullest extent and transform the University’s potential into reality. That transformation is already unfolding, particularly through research, innovation and the creation of start-ups.”
Prof. Jagadish Kumar Patnaik added,
“Governance is the key to development. Over the past four years, we have focused on policy-oriented governance, mobilisation of resources and incentivisation to create an ecosystem that encourages research, innovation and productive creativity. The progress in publications, patents, start-ups and other innovations shows what can be achieved when the energies of the University community are organised towards a common vision. ”
The Vice-Chancellor highlighted that the University’s emergence as a centre for start-ups and innovation demonstrates the potential of a higher education institution located in one of the country’s remote regions to generate nationally-relevant ideas and solutions.
RESEARCH ADDRESSING REGIONAL PRIORITIES
Over the past year, the University has strengthened research in areas including environment and climate, biodiversity, indigenous knowledge, healthcare, agriculture, rural livelihoods, new materials, energy storage and emerging technologies.
Research has generated insights into soil and environmental degradation, river health, land-use change, glacier retreat and high-altitude lake stability across the North-East. Studies have also documented indigenous herbal knowledge, explored medicinal and cancer-fighting potential of traditional plants, and identified biodiversity and genetic resources with potential applications in healthcare and climate resilience.
In agriculture and rural livelihoods, the University has developed the high-yielding ginger variety ‘SAS-KEVÜ’, advanced research on biochar and sustainable agriculture, and supported a backyard poultry initiative through which women’s self-help groups generated more than ₹30 lakh. Research in biodegradable electrolytes, flexible supercapacitors, wastewater resource recovery, artificial intelligence and quantum technologies further reflects the University’s expanding research portfolio.
NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR PATENTING AND INNOVATION
Nagaland University has emerged as a leading government university in patent generation. In 2025, it was reported as the top government university in India for patents granted over the preceding three years, with 97 patents. In the India Today India’s Best Universities 2026 rankings, the University was ranked No. 2 among government universities in India for patents granted and 5th for patents published, with 68 patents granted over the three years cited.
The University’s Intellectual Property Rights Cell, established in October 2023, continues to support faculty, researchers and students in patent and utility-model applications, strengthening the translation of academic research into practical innovations.
The University’s Multidisciplinary Research Centre (MDRC) is strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration in research, innovation, product development and the practical application of science and technology. The Centre brings together faculty and students from different disciplines and supports multidisciplinary undergraduate and doctoral research.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
A major highlight of the Foundation Day celebrations was the presentation of the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards 2026, instituted to recognise excellence among teachers, non-teaching employees, research scholars, postgraduate students and undergraduate students across the University.
The awardees were recognised for their outstanding dedication, commitment and exemplary service to Nagaland University.
The awardees were:
Best Teacher of the Year
⮚ Sciences: Dr. Lobeno Mozhui, Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology
⮚ Social Sciences: Dr. Sentikumla, Assistant Professor, Department of Law
⮚ School of Agricultural Sciences: Dr. Sentirenla Jamir, Assistant Professor, Department of Horticulture
Best Non-Teaching Employee of the Year
⮚ Lumami: Mr. Yanpothung Murry, Assistant, Academic & Conference Section
⮚ Kohima: Mr. I. Pangerwati, Driver, Transport Section
⮚ Medziphema: Mr. A. Yanpothung Tsopoe, Jr. Engineer, Engineering Wing
Best Research Scholar of the Year
⮚ Sciences: Ms. Therola Sangtam, Chemistry
⮚ Social Sciences: Mr. Repakaba Tzudir, Sociology
⮚ Management: Mr. Kelhoukhrietuo Nagi, Management
⮚ School of Engineering & Technology: Ms. Moon Moon Mech, Biotechnology
⮚ Agricultural Sciences: Mr. Ujjwal Singh, Horticulture
Best Postgraduate Student of the Year
⮚ Lumami: Mr. Debajit Gogoi, Chemistry
⮚ Kohima: Mr. Kenyutsinlo Kent, Centre for Naga Tribal Language Studies
⮚ Medziphema: Mr. Imtitoshi, Entomology
Best Undergraduate Student of the Year
⮚ Mr. Subham Das, B.Sc. (Agri.)