Union Minister of State for Education Dr Subhas Sarkar had asked the North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) to ensure psychosocial support to students for their mental health and well being.
Dr Sarkar who visited the university yesterday spoke on the anti ragging cell of NEHU and informed about ‘Manodarpan’, initiative under Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan that was launched during Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
The platform features a nationwide toll-free helpline for students at schools, universities, and colleges, staffed by a team of expert counsellors, psychologists, and mental health specialists. It also offers a website, a nationwide directory of counsellors, an interactive online chat platform, advisories and suggestions via webinars, and other tools.
The union minister urged all stakeholders to develop academic excellence by chalking out a holistic plan and assured all support from the government for the academic development of the university.
He also held a special meeting with the faculties to explore creating a department specifically devoted to advancing the Indian traditional knowledge system.
The minister said that for the upliftment of any individual, his or her roots must be strong, and to conserve these roots, one should know about the Indian Knowledge System (IKS).
Dr Sarkar urged NEHU to collaborate with AICTE-IKS and IKS-IIT Kharagpur in order to support interdisciplinary research to solve contemporary social challenges. He said these organisations facilitate the integration of IKS into the curriculum and the dissemination of expertise.
He also enquired about the Sophisticated and Analytical Instrument facility (SAIF) of the University and its modus operandi.
Dr Sarkar interacted with NEHU Vice Chancellor Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla along with the deans, heads of departments and administrative officials.
The Vice Chancellor said the university remains dedicated to advancing knowledge, nurturing talent, and contributing to the socioeconomic development of the state in a holistic way.
Earlier NEHU Registrar, Col. Om Prakash Singh gave a presentation on the vision and mission of the university and its initiatives aimed for the welfare of tribal students in the region in selected focus areas like Agriculture, Biodiversity, IT, Ecotourism, Healthcare and Livelihood.
