By MOKOKCHUNG TIMES. Date: Mar 16, 2022
With the motto, ‘Retrieving Identities’ and a vision to promote Ao language and literature, a Language Translation Center was inaugurated at Fazl Ali College, Mokokchung by Nagaland Minister of Mechanical and Housing, Tongpang Ozüküm, on Wednesday. The occasion also witnessed inauguration of other components, namely Resource Center, Child Care Center, Biotech Laboratory, Mini Soil Testing Laboratory and an Internet Browsing Center, spread across different locations within the college campus.
Speaking at the occasion, Tongpang Ozüküm appreciated the effort & commitment of the college authority in launching multiple innovative projects for the betterment of the student community and the society in general.
Highlighting on the Language Translation Center, the minister emphasized the importance of mother language while adding, “Translation is not just the change of words, but it builds bridges between cultures.”
He said that the translation of Ao language will not only help in promoting it but will also help in making it an honours subject at the college and university levels. He also added that translation is not just for the purpose of education but also for various other purposes while citing the example of journalism and how translation is an important aspect in the field of press and media.
Commenting on the different centers, he stressed on the cultivation of medicinal and ornamental plants and the study of tissue culture through the Biotech Lab, the benefits to local farmers through the Soil Testing Lab, the benefits of the Browsing Centre that gives access to more educational resources online and the Resource Outlet as a good provision for students to sell and showcase their creativity.
He said that the inauguration of all the innovative initiatives will not only help in the NAAC accreditation exercise but will also be helpful for the institution and the people since they are all practically very important initiatives. He hoped that the various centers will serve the purpose and also the people.
Dr. Lanurenla, HoD, Dept of English & Director, LTC, FAC presented a detailed concept note of the LTC, where she said that LTC is established as a joint effort of the English and Ao departments of the college and that the main purpose of the centre was to translate literary works in English, to do research on Ao literature and translate them into English, to publish books on Ao language and literature and to offer certificate courses in Language translation.
She spoke on the importance of multilingualism and how it will help in attaining quality education and preserve cultural heritage.
She also mentioned that the New Education Policy 2020 stresses on the requirements of bilingual teaching in schools and that the present society is on a culture survival mission both of which can perhaps be fulfilled through the establishment of the Language Translation Centre.
LTC Chief Patron, Jemti Mollier, Ao Senden, Watsü Mungdang, AKM, Mokokchung & Chuchuyimpang village Council also spoke on the occasion. The concluding remark and discussion was led by Temjenwabang, Principal, FAC.
The program was also attended by the Deputy Commissioner, Additional Superintendent of Police along with the faculty, non-teaching staff and students of the college.
