RONO HILLS, Feb 5: Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) celebrated its 43rd Foundation Day at the university convention hall here today highlighting its growth, challenges, and academic achievements, while the felicitation of staff and student achievers marked the celebration.
Ex-RGU Registrar and former Chief Information Commissioner (GoAP), Dr Joram Begi, attending the programme as the Foundation Day Speaker, reflected on the university’s formative years and talked at length about the early part of its history. He spoke about the difficulties faced during the initial period of RGU, including administrative and academic challenges, and acknowledged the collective efforts that contributed in shaping the university into its present form.
He highlighted how the gross enrolment ratio and our literacy rate of the state of Arunachal Pradesh rose with respectable numbers with the coming up of many institutions including RGU.
RGU Vice Chancellor Prof S K Nayak, in his address, highlighted the university’s achievements in academics and research. He also expressed his gratitude to faculty members, staff, students, and other stakeholders for their continued support in the functioning and development of the university. The dropout rate in the State is a big issue and the university with the help from the state government and the Centre is building infrastructure and avenues for increasing a better enrolment ratio with the current students of 5000 to 12000, looking into the NEP and the vision of Viksit Bharat, Prof Nayak added.
The VC also called for making our education system more inclusive where different thoughts of schools are taught.
As per tradition, retired teaching and non-teaching staff were felicitated in recognition of their contribution to the institution during their years of service. The university also honoured Proshato Kr Saha for receiving the prestigious National Teachers Award 2025. Yorna Roshni, Hinium Mama, Likha Aku, Raja Bosumotary, cadets Elisha Kino and Likha Takap, student achievers who brought laurels to RGU at the national and international levels in sports, academics, and other activities were also honoured.
Earlier, Registrar Dr N T Rikam, in his welcome address, highlighted the expansion of academic activities and institutional development, while also drawing attention to challenges related to space constraints and infrastructure development. He suggested that in this rapidly moving technology driven world the youth need to continuously upgrade their skills so as to progress in their individual career and contribute to the development of the University in particular and the nation in general.
Prof Otem Padung, Chairman 43rd Foundation Day Celebration Committee (RGU), congratulated the entire RGU fraternity for their wholehearted endeavour to bring this university to one of the highest levels of academic institution in the nation. The next step, he said, is to perspire even more, to achieve NAAC A++ prior to Golden Jubilee Foundation Day celebration.
To mark the occasion, the university also announced the Bank of Baroda Achievers Award. Three students –Bingo Tayang, Yorna Rosni and Wiliang Socia were awarded the best in academics, best in sports and best all-rounder. The BoB RGU Branch awarded cash incentives to these meritorious students under its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative.
The Foundation Day programme concluded with a renewed emphasis on strengthening academic excellence and addressing infrastructural challenges faced by the university. The celebration also included a Home Garden Exhibition-cum-Competitions and Badminton tournament in Open and Veteran Categories. The celebrations concluded with VC XI lifting the Foundation Day rolling football trophy, prevailing over RGUSU-XI.