The Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU), Pasighat Campus, in collaboration with EDLD & the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), New Delhi, today hosted the Inaugural Session of the Roundtable of Vice-Chancellors of North-East India 2026, bringing together 16 Vice-Chancellors from universities across the North-Eastern region on a common platform for dialogue, collaboration and knowledge exchange. Being held on the theme “Transforming Higher Education: Innovations, Collaborations and Strategies for a Future-Ready India,” the two-day Roundtable seeks to strengthen inter-university partnerships and deliberate on emerging priorities in higher education, research, innovation, technology and institutional development. The inaugural session was graced by Shri Pema Khandu, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, as the Chief Guest. The dais comprised Dr. Amarendra Pani, Joint Director (Research), Association of Indian Universities (AIU); Dr. Avinash Kharel, Dean, Campuses, RRU; and Dr. M. Sanjeev Singh, Director, RRU Pasighat Campus. The programme was attended by Shri Ojing Tasing, Hon’ble Minister for Rural Development & Panchayati Raj; Shri Mutchu Mithi, Hon’ble MLA and Advisor to the Chief Minister on Home & Education; Shri Kaling Moyong, President, Arunachal Pradesh; Hon’ble MLAs Shri Ninong Ering, Shri Tapi Darang, Shri Oken Tayeng and Shri Oni Panyang; Shri Amjad Tak, IAS, Commissioner, Education; Ms. Sonalika Jiwani, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, East Siang; and Mr. Pankaj Lamba, IPS, Superintendent of Police, East Siang, besides senior officials, academicians and other distinguished guests.

The Roundtable reflects RRU Pasighat Campus’s commitment to strengthening higher education, research and institutional collaboration in the North-East, and to creating platforms where academic leaders can collectively address the emerging needs of the region and the nation. The participation of 16 Vice-Chancellors marks an important milestone in fostering a stronger network of universities across the North-East and creating opportunities for joint research, academic partnerships, innovation, knowledge sharing, faculty and student engagement and collaborative initiatives. The initiative also provides an important platform for institutions to explore how higher education can contribute to the development of the region, particularly through research that is responsive to local and national priorities. In this context, RRU Pasighat Campus seeks to position itself as a facilitator of meaningful academic dialogue and collaborative research, particularly in areas relevant to border regions, national development, technology, security, governance, innovation and youth empowerment.

Inaugurating the Roundtable, Chief Minister Shri Pema Khandu highlighted the important role of universities in advancing the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for a Viksit Bharat. He emphasised that universities must play a central role in producing not only skilled graduates but also responsible, ethical, capable and socially conscious youth who can contribute meaningfully to society and nation-building. Referring to the immense potential and strategic importance of the North-East, the Chief Minister encouraged universities to undertake greater research on border areas and border-area development, with a focus on locally relevant and solution-oriented issues including livelihoods, connectivity, sustainable development, technology and the socio-economic advancement of communities in frontier areas. He stressed the importance of research partnerships and collaboration among universities, noting that sharing expertise, resources and knowledge can generate greater academic and developmental impact. Shri Khandu appreciated the Roundtable as an important step towards bringing universities of the North-East closer together and expressed confidence that the deliberations would translate into concrete academic and research collaborations. He also warmly welcomed and thanked the 16 Vice-Chancellors for coming to Pasighat and participating in the Roundtable, recognising their commitment to strengthening higher education in the region.

The two-day Roundtable will deliberate on key contemporary themes, including Digital Transformation & AI Integration; Building AI-Ready Universities: A Roadmap for Academic Leaders; Globalization and Internationalization; Leading Universities in the Age of AI: From Governance to Cognitive Transformation; Strategic Integration & Implementation of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS); Proposed Regulatory Architecture & Design in Higher Education under the VBSA Bill-2025; Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Startup Ecosystem; and Financial and Institutional Sustainability. Through these deliberations, RRU Pasighat Campus aims to facilitate sustained academic engagement and encourage institutions to move from dialogue towards actionable partnerships. The Roundtable is envisioned as a significant step towards building a more connected, innovative and future-ready higher education ecosystem in the North-East and strengthening the region’s contribution to research-led development, youth empowerment, academic excellence and the national vision of Viksit Bharat.

 

(रिलीज़ आईडी: 2297264) आगंतुक पटल : 16