GUWAHATI:
In a bid to upskill the administrative officers of Arunachal Pradesh, Union minister for education Dharmendra Pradhan virtually inaugurated the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Shillong, ‘Satellite Centre’ at Tawang on April 25.
The centre inaugurated in presence of chief minister Pema Khandu aims at training the officers, legislators, and youths in management skills and necessary policy interventions, besides developing policies for a wide range of industries, that will go a long way in helping the sector grow and utilise its full potential.
The centre is a result of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by the Arunachal Pradesh government and the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Policy Research & Analysis, IIM Shillong, initiated by Khandu and taken forward by the state’s former chief secretary Naresh Kumar.
Terming the occasion as a historic moment, Pradhan congratulated IIM Shillong and the Arunachal Pradesh government for the joint venture, and said that it is a big step towards professionalism in governance and public delivery.
“With the expertise of a reputed institution like IIM Shillong capacity building of administrative officers will pave way in successful governance bringing happiness to citizens, which is the objective of the government,” Pradhan said.
Delivering his address, Pradhan said that the centre in the long will become a hub of learning, upgrading the youths with industry-oriented skills, that will turn the youths from job seekers to job givers.
Referring to the New Education Policy (NEP) that has been conceived and implemented to achieve the same, he said that, IIM Shillong Shillong has an important role in the successful implementation of the policy.
Pradhan also assured to visit Arunachal Pradesh soon so that he can sit with the chief minister and chalk out a definite roadmap for a ‘Arunachal Pradesh of the 21st century’.
Echoing Pradhan, Khandu in his brief address, expressed optimism that IIM Shillong will provide critical managerial interventions to help the State government in implementing its flagship projects as policymakers and administrators will be trained to improve efficiency and leadership skills.
“Through this collaboration we also expect training and entrepreneurship development programme to promote the startup ecosystem in the state. As a think tank to the Government of Arunachal Pradesh, I am sure that IIM Shillong will provide quality inputs for a more inclusive sustainable development in the state,” Khandu said.
Khandu informed that the Centre will currently function from a temporary location in Tawang, while a permanent centre comes up. He said both the MLAs of the district have been asked to collaborate with the district administration to provide the centre a permanent campus.
He also suggested that in the future, the centre can also provide capacity building and training to officers of the Indian Army, paramilitary forces and central government agencies like BRO to enhance their skills in working in Arunachal Pradesh.
He said that this holistic approach to development will inspire other states to tap into the expert advice offered by IIM Shillong, which will collaborate with the officials of Arunachal Pradesh in developing policies and a roadmap for business development in the handloom, horticulture, tourism, logistics and BPO sectors.
On Monday, the centre started five days training for the deputy commissioner.
The inaugural ceremony was also attended by local legislators TseringTashi and JambeyTashi, Shishir Kumar Bajoria, chairman, Board of Governors, IIM Shillong, Prashant Lokhande, commissioner, Arunachal Pradesh government, director, IIM Shillong, D P Goyal, professors, organizers of the training program and deputy commissioners from across the state.