Nagaland to soon have 'Christian' University

Dimapur, (Nagaland) Mar.13 (ANI): Nagaland will soon have a Christian University which will offer all subjects for secular students in their higher academic pursuance, providing hi-tech and in tune with the rest of the global universities with an atmosphere of Christian ethics. The University, christened as North East Christian University (NECU) will be established on a 247 acres of land at Medziphema village some 30 km away from the hustle-bustle of Dimapur town. The initial project is budgeted with an estimated amount of Rs. 180 crore of which, the lion share would be borne by American Baptist friends. "Out of the estimated project cost, 'Friends of NECU from America' will give Rs. 120 crore and the churches' burden here will be only Rs. 60 crore," Retd. chief secretary of Nagaland and current member of NECU governing body, Alemtemshi said. According to NECU pro-vice chancellor, Reverend Dr. A.K. Lama, a university with an environment of Christian ethics has been a corporate dream of the Council of Baptist Churches in North East India (CBCNEI). The foundation was laid by CBCNEI president, K.C. Momin on March 10 in the presence of Nagaland's parliamentary secretary for Higher and Technical Education, Deo Nukhu and a host of representatives from various churches in northeast India. The upcoming university will be developed in consonance with the nature. "I don't think there is any University campus in the country which can match the natural beauty of this campus and therefore we will make it a point to develop it properly in consonance with the nature," R. Sen, chief architecture of NECU told ANI. Nagaland parliamentary secretary, Deo Nukhu also assured that Nagaland government will provide logistic support to NECU in what way it could especially, in areas of power and water supply. He also appealed the villagers not to regret for having given the land. Representatives from other Baptist conventions in northeast also assured to extend every possible help to achieve the corporate dream. The campus is expected be activated in the next academic session in 2018 even as completion of the infrastructures take a few more years. "Hopefully classes will start by 2018 and we target to complete the project in three to five years from now," Alemtemshi said. (ANI)