NETRA Highlights Skill Gap in Northeast
Itanagar, Feb 21: Stressing the transformative potential of skill-based learning, Prof. Jayanta Choudhury, Head of the Department of Rural Development and Planning at Nagaland University and Secretary General of North East Training, Research and Advocacy (NETRA) Foundation, underscored the importance of vocational education in empowering youth across the Northeast.
He was speaking as a panelist at the International Seminar on “Living World: Education of Past, Present and Future,” held from February 16 to 18, 2026, at Rajiv Gandhi University.
Prof. Choudhury observed that vocational education acts as a critical link between academic learning and employment, fostering self-reliance among young people. Highlighting the Northeast’s predominantly rural and tribal demographic profile, limited industrial growth and rising youth migration, he said targeted skill development could strengthen sustainable livelihoods and enhance economic resilience in the region.
He identified agriculture, handloom and handicrafts, eco-tourism, bamboo-based industries and digital services as key sectors with strong employment potential.
Joining the discussion, Dr. Chubaienla Imchen, Assistant Professor of Economics at Jubilee Memorial College, Nagaland and a founding member of NETRA Foundation, pointed to the growing mismatch between education and employment opportunities in Nagaland and other Northeastern states.
She remarked that dependence on government jobs offers limited prospects for today’s youth and called for early career counselling, robust skill training and entrepreneurship support.
Emphasising the need for a mindset shift, she advocated moving away from a “government job waiting room” culture towards a more dynamic “workshop culture.”
The three-day seminar was organised by the Department of Education, Rajiv Gandhi University, in collaboration with CEAM Kerala, NETRA Foundation and other partner institutions.
The event brought together academicians, researchers and policymakers from India and abroad.
A total of 174 research papers were presented across 16 technical sessions, covering themes from Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) to higher education reforms.
During the valedictory session, RGU Registrar Dr. N.T. Rikam, Dean of the Faculty of Education Prof. Elizabeth Hangsing and guest of honour Prof. Jayanta Choudhury lauded the wide-ranging deliberations.
This included discussions on artificial intelligence in education, climate literacy and the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. S.K. Nayak proposed compiling the seminar proceedings into a book to preserve its academic contributions.
Prof. Kesang Degi of the Department of Education and Executive Member of NETRA highlighted the importance of collaborative academic platforms in advancing educational reforms and regional development initiatives across the Northeast.