Niuland’s first institute of higher education is up and running

July 14, 2024 15 Views No Comment

PHED Minister unveils inaugural plaque of WSBAK’s Platinum College

Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 14

Platinum College, Niuland’s first institute of higher education, has begun classes for the 2024-25 academic term. The foundation stone for the college was laid in April 2021. It was established in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Western Sumi Baptist Church Association/Western Sümi Baptist Akukuhou Kuqhakulu (WSBAK). The WSBAK celebrated the platinum jubilee in December 2022.

The formal inauguration programme took place at the college, located in the WSBAK Resource Centre, in Nihokhu village, on July 13, where Minister for PHED, N Jacob Zhimomi, unveiled the inaugural plaque. Zhimomi appreciated the WSBAK for establishing the college. He termed it a milestone that would cater to the needs of students, who want to pursue higher education, but cannot afford to move out of the district, and in the process, shaping lives and careers.

Zhimomi further laid emphasis on prioritising science and mathematics, in addition to humanities. According to him, qualifications requiring science and mathematics are in high demand. To address the unemployment problem in the state, he said that the youths must break the culture of depending on parental assistance and become self-reliant. While stating that self-reliance can happen through vocational skills, he said that the parents have done their part by ensuring their children get a decent education and now it was the turn of the students and youths to focus on their strengths and work.

By doing so, they can ensure a brighter future, create history and more opportunities for all, he said.

He also posted on X, stating, “… I applaud the WSBAK for this noble initiative which will go a long way in shaping not only the careers of students but also their lives. With a sprawling campus spread over 68 acres, Platinum College provides the perfect environment for one’s academic, personal as well as spiritual development. I’m confident the college will be a centre of excellence which will focus on skill development and employability.”

About Platinum College
Platinum College is the first degree college in Niuland since its inception as a sub-division and later, as a district. It offers Bachelors Degree in English, History, Political Science, Economics, Education, Sociology and Music.

Currently, the college has a total enrolment of 104 students, with a teaching faculty of 12. The college has two hostels, for both male and female students. Hostel capacity will be increased as enrolment increases.

The Music course is run from the WSBAK’s Akuvuto Centre, which currently, has 12 students enrolled.

As per requirements of the UGC, multi disciplinary courses like skill development, hospitality, agriculture and diploma course in painting and driving are in the pipeline.

Khetovi Ayemi, Secretary, Planning and Development, WSBAK, informed that apart from the general admission and semester fees, the college offers free admission to meritorious students and scholarships for needy students, besides female students and children of WSBAK leaders.

Ayemi, who is also the Secretary of the Board of Governors of the college, added that the admission fee, this year, was around Rs 4000 and the semester fees, minimal.