* Prof. H. Lalthanzara, Principal - Pachhunga University College 

* Prof. Lalnundanga, Registrar - Mizoram University 

* Faculty and staff of the College 

* Invitees, Dear Students

I am very happy to be here at the Celebration of Pachhunga University College’s 34^th NIRF Ranking & Inaugural Function of Two Day International Symposium on “Sustaining Nature and Tribal Worldview: An Ecocritical Approach to Literature”.

Pachhunga University College (PUC), the oldest and largest college in Mizoram, occupies a massive 122 acres of land. It has 23 departments in Arts, Science, Commerce and Management Streams, with 197 fraternity members and more than 3000 students.

The college now offers PG classes in five departments (Philosophy, Mizo, Life Sciences, Geophysics, and Applied Mathematics & Statistics), and PhD course in Life Sciences. PhD course in Philosophy is also expected from the coming academic session.

It is a matter of pride that recently, the College has been awarded A+ grade with a CGPA 3.47 out of 4 by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). I am pleased to learn that the UGC has granted ‘College with Potential for Excellence’ Scheme, which is awarded to few institutions over the country.

On top of that, the College is ISO certified, and the Institution has been recognised as a potential ‘Mentor Institution’ to help the NAAC aspiring institutions. Further, it is a Star College under the DBT Scheme. These are impressive tributes that many colleges all over the country cannot achieve.

I have also learned that the college received ‘Indira Gandhi NSS Awards’ in 2016 for its outstanding contribution to the service of the community at various levels. The College motto “Learning & Service” is the guiding beacon of your endeavor, as you strive for academic excellence in higher education and humanitarian services.

I sincerely congratulate the College for securing 34^th rank in the latest NIRF placings. The meticulous assessment and the difficulty in meeting the criteria set forth by Ministry of Education are tough aspirations that we are all aware of in the academic circle.

The methodology draws from the recommendations arrived at by a Core Committee set up by Ministry of Education. The parameters broadly cover “Teaching, Learning and Resources,” “Research and Professional Practices,” “Graduation Outcomes,” “Outreach and Inclusivity,” and “Perception”.

As such, to be placed at 34^th in just the sixth year of entry into the NIRF assessment is admirable. You have climbed from last year’s 45^th rank to a much better improvement at 34^th place in the college level category this year. In this 8th annual edition of the NIRF, 2746 colleges from all over India participated.

Overall, 162 colleges from North East India participated, and PUC at rank 34 is the only College placed in the top 100.

Education and skill development leads to productivity and innovation, which contributes to growth in social, political and economic fields. 

PUC plays a vital role in this arena. By constantly producing the most number of rank holders in the Mizoram University Undergraduate Examinations, the College is shaping future leaders and creating success stories in differing fields.

The amount of knowledge and resources that we can draw upon today in order to solve the many challenges we face is staggering. Yet, if we do not have enough people to act on the basis of that knowledge, or to use those resources, very little will change.          

When I think of what PUC has accomplished and invested in, and the fact that it plans to invest even more, I am happy that you are on the right track, because that commitment will continue to reap its rewards the future. 

 At this tempo, PUC could strive towards attaining a status of autonomy or deemed to be university status granted by DHE under Ministry of Education, on the advice of UGC. Deemed to be Universities enjoy full autonomy in deciding courses, syllabus, admissions and fees.  

 Some Deemed to be Universities can also grant degrees on their own. Deemed-to-be Universities, which continue to perform well, can get the status of a full-fledged University. As such, these are mountains that you should continue to scale.   

 Consequently, based on National Education Policy 2020, PUC has the potential to become Teaching intensive and Research intensive university. 

 We must bear in mind that it is not individual success, but collective prosperity that will continue to bring honour to PUC. 

 As such, I urge everyone to do your bit and contribute towards the development and progress of your institution. 

At the same time, I am delighted that we are inaugurating the Two Day International Symposium organized by the Department of English, PUC. 

The theme of India’s G20 Presidency, i.e “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, is an affirmation of the value of all life and their interconnectedness. MZU and PUC have organised many seminars and talks on the inter-connectedness of humanity and nature, and the need for a common growth between them.

This Symposium seeks to explore how literature, both in the oral and written tradition, highlights how the natural world serves as a source of inspiration, and as a means of expression. Our ancestors have made use of stories to explain the world around them, such as the mysteries of the universe, human joy and suffering.      

Humanity and the natural world are always connected, and I hope this symposium reminds us that unless we thrive along with nature and our ecosystem, humanity cannot survive.

In conclusion, I once again congratulate PUC for attaining 34^th Rank in the NIRF Rankings, and I wish the two-day International Symposium a grand success. 

 Thank you.

 Jai Hind !