Dimapur: Nagaland University’s Kohima Campus, Meriema, has launched an intellectual platform, ‘Campus Talks’, to provide students an opportunity to interact with people from diverse fields and learn beyond the classroom.The monthly programme will be held on a rotational basis across the university’s hostels, with the aim of encouraging dialogue and broadening students’ understanding of contemporary issues, a university release said on Saturday.The inaugural session was held at Shilloi Women’s Hostel on Oct 30. Professor Lungsang Zeliang, dean of humanities and education and academic adviser to Campus Talks, said the initiative was conceived as a platform for meaningful discussions among teachers, students and scholars.She said the university approved the initiative after a series of discussions and expressed hope that it would grow into larger engagements, bring experts from outside the campus and broaden students’ understanding of multidisciplinary issues.Zeliang said the initiative was a way of giving back to society, with speakers sharing their knowledge without charging an honorarium.In his address, Prof. N Venuh, pro vice-chancellor of Nagaland University’s Kohima campus, urged students to remain inquisitive and develop a deeper understanding of events and issues around them.Drawing on his experience as a human rights activist, Venuh spoke about Naga history and political concerns, colonialism, contemporary world affairs and the importance of understanding one’s rights. He also discussed the growing use of artificial intelligence, saying it is a useful tool but cautioning people against becoming overly dependent on it.The second session was held at Pauna Men’s Hostel on Nov 13. Miller, convener of Campus Talks, said the platform aimed to bring eminent people from different fields to the university to engage with students on contemporary and social issues.He stressed the importance of taking academic learning beyond the classroom through critical thinking, intellectual exchange and meaningful conversations.
