RIWATCH, KSC sign MoU for research, cultural preservation

KOHIMA, OCTOBER 13 (MExN): The Research Institute of World’s Ancient Traditions, Cultures and Heritages (RIWATCH), Arunachal Pradesh, and Kohima Science College (Autonomous), Nagaland, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on October 10 to promote academic cooperation, interdisciplinary research and the preservation of indigenous languages and cultural heritage in Northeast India.The agreement was signed at the RIWATCH campus in Khinjili, Roing, Arunachal Pradesh, by RIWATCH Executive Director Vijay Swami and Kohima Science College Principal Dr Temjenwabang.According to a press release, the partnership will focus on joint research, language documentation, cultural preservation, academic and student exchanges, resource sharing and community-oriented programmes centred on education and cultural sustainability.The collaboration seeks to strengthen institutional ties between Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh while facilitating research into the region’s histories, traditions and contemporary academic concerns.RIWATCH Executive Director Vijay Swami said the partnership marked a step towards connecting Northeast India through collaborative research, stressing the importance of institutional cooperation in preserving local communities’ histories and languages.He also shared the long-term vision of developing RIWATCH into a university, provisionally proposed as the University of World’s Ancient Traditions, Cultures and Heritages (UWATCH), to expand its educational reach.Kohima Science College Principal Dr Temjenwabang commended RIWATCH’s work in language documentation and cultural preservation. He described the MoU as more than a formal document, stating that it laid the foundation for a lasting partnership based on shared knowledge, mutual respect and a common commitment to enriching traditional knowledge across the region.The Kohima Science College delegation included Vice-Principal Kevilhuninuo Nagi; Dr Moarenla Longkumer, Assistant Professor and Head of the Department of Anthropology; Dr Mhathung Yanthan, Convenor of the Research and Development Centre; and Dr Lilongchem Thyug, Coordinator of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell.The RIWATCH delegation included Dr M S Awan, Centre Head of the RIWATCH Centre for Mother Languages; Dr Nandini Dholepat; Dr Karabi Baruah; and other faculty members and researchers.