RONO HILLS, Mar 20: Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) has secured the first prize in the poster competition on "Best Practices on Protection, Preservation, and Promotion of Indigenous Culture" at the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) East Zone Vice Chancellors’ Conference 2024-25, held at JIS University, Kolkata, from March 18-19.
RGU’s vice-chancellor (acting), SK Nayak, congratulated the university fraternity, highlighting its commitment to preserving indigenous culture and fostering holistic education. The award acknowledges RGU’s efforts in safeguarding endangered languages and cultural practices through its Centre for Endangered Languages (CFEL) under the Arunachal Institute of Tribal Studies (AITS).
The university’s initiatives include documentation, preservation of dialects, publication of scripts, and the development of cultural resources such as documentaries and books. The research has contributed to policy frameworks, including the State Culture Policy and State Youth Policy.
Registrar NT Rikam termed the recognition a testament to RGU’s dedication to academic excellence and cultural preservation. He stated that the university integrates academic rigor, community engagement, and sustainable development. RGU has also undertaken initiatives such as the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign and the Green Campus Initiative, making it a plastic-free and tobacco-free institution.
Additionally, it has successfully implemented the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 across its academic framework and affiliated colleges. The institutionalization of a fixed convocation date—November 30 every year—aims to reinforce academic discipline.
Finance officer Otem Padung emphasized that RGU maintains over 90 percent compliance in transparency parameters through its Transparency Audit. He also highlighted the role of the Mano-Vimarsh University Counselling Centre, which provides psychological first aid and mental health services in collaboration with local authorities, including Capital Police.
Joint registrar David Pertin underlined the contributions of AITS, which began as the Department of Tribal Studies in 1995 and was upgraded to an institute in 2005. AITS has led research on indigenous knowledge and culture, offering postgraduate and doctoral programs. The CFEL, established in 2016, has conducted field studies and research on linguistic communities such as Tangam, Kaasik, Meyor, Khamba, Monpa, Olo, Ashing, Nah, and Brokpa, contributing to the preservation of endangered languages.
RGU’s achievements at the AIU conference underscore its commitment to academic research and cultural preservation, reinforcing its role as a center of knowledge and innovation in Arunachal Pradesh.
