RIWATCH, KOHIMA SCIENCE COLLEGE SIGN MoU TO PROMOTE RESEARCH AND PRESERVE NORTHEAST’S CULTURAL HERITAGE
ROING, October 13: The Research Institute of World’s Ancient Traditions, Cultures and Heritages (RIWATCH), Arunachal Pradesh, and Kohima Science College (Autonomous), Nagaland, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote academic cooperation, interdisciplinary research and the preservation of Northeast India’s linguistic and cultural heritage.
The MoU was signed at the RIWATCH campus in Khinjili, Roing, Arunachal Pradesh, on October 10, with RIWATCH Executive Director Vijay Swami and Kohima Science College Principal Dr. Temjenwabang representing the two institutions.
The partnership aims to strengthen institutional cooperation between Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland through joint research, language documentation, cultural preservation, academic and student exchanges, resource sharing and community-oriented development programmes.
Under the agreement, the institutions will collaborate on interdisciplinary studies exploring the region’s diverse histories, traditions and contemporary academic needs. The partnership will also support efforts to document, preserve and promote indigenous languages and cultural practices across Northeast India.
Speaking on the occasion, Swami said the collaboration marked an important step towards connecting the Northeast through joint research and institutional cooperation. He emphasised the importance of preserving the histories and languages of local communities.
Swami also shared his long-term vision of developing RIWATCH into a university, provisionally envisioned as the University of World’s Ancient Traditions, Cultures and Heritages (UWATCH), to expand its educational reach.
Dr. Temjenwabang commended RIWATCH for its contributions to language documentation and cultural preservation, describing the MoU as more than a formal agreement. He said it laid the foundation for a lasting partnership based on shared knowledge, mutual respect and a common commitment to enriching traditional knowledge across the region.
The Kohima Science College delegation included Vice-Principal Kevilhuninuo Nagi; Dr. Moarenla Longkumer, Assistant Professor and Head of the Department of Anthropology; Dr. Mhathung Yanthan, Convenor of the Research and Development Centre; and Dr. Lilongchem Thyug, Coordinator of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell.
The RIWATCH delegation included Swami; Dr. M. S. Awan, Centre Head of the RIWATCH Centre for Mother Languages; Dr. Nandini Dholepat; Dr. Karabi Baruah, faculty member; and other faculty members and researchers.
The collaboration is expected to strengthen academic links between the two states while creating opportunities for research, cultural documentation and community engagement aimed at safeguarding the diverse heritage of Northeast India. (DIPR)
