MUC site lies in shambles
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 13 2020: Even as the State prides itself in its its rich art and culture, nearly three years after the foundation stone was laid, the site for Manipur University of Culture at Wakha Nongmaiching foothill in Imphal East district is in a sorry state.

Tall and invasive grasses now decorate the site and completely cover the foundation stone laid in 2017.Then Health Minister L Jayantakumar, Kshetrigao AC MLA N Indrajit, then Vice Chancellor of Manipur University of Culture, N Khagendra and then Art and Culture Commissioner M Lakshmikumar had laid the foundation stone for the varsity on December 28, 2017 .

An official of the university told this reporter that the construction work has not begun even after foundation stone was laid in 2017 because of a dispute between the Revenue Department and the Forest Department regarding the site.

The Forest Department had claimed that the site falls under the Reserve Forest area.

The university authority had also appealed the Forest Department to allow establishment of the varsity at the site.

Following this, the State Forest Department had apprised the matter to its Regional Office at Shillong and then forwarded again to the Ministry concerned in New Delhi.

The Regional office then in-principle gave its approval for construction of the university last year, the official said, adding that a final approval is awaited which will come after demarcation of the land for the university at the site.

The official said that the Manipur University of Culture is to be constructed covering an area of about 118 acres.

Farmers from surrounding areas had offered land and assured to provide all possible assistance in construction of the varsity.

Apart from housing class rooms and other facilities, the university aims to add infrastructure for about 17 additional Departments.

The university has written to the Ministry of Culture regarding the proposal for addition of the 17 Departments.

Some of the trades that may be added after approval include Tourism, Anthropology, Philosophy, Linguistics, Hindi and Sanskrit.

The university has also sought a fund of about Rs 500 crore for establishment of Culture Complex Block, research centre, Umanglai Harao Laibung (ground for celebration of sylvan deity) and other facilities, added the official.

After the enactment of the Manipur University of Culture Act, 2015, the university started functioning from December 8 the same year with its office inside the premises of the Department of Art and Culture at Palace Compound, Imphal.

The university started offering and teaching Bachelor's degree courses from September 10, 2016 at Government Dance College, Music College and Imphal Art College.

The university is offering three year courses in Thang-Ta, Dance, Music, Sankirtan, Umanglai Haraoba, Tribal Studies, Visual Art (4 year course) and Theatre of Performance Studies, the official said.

The Manipur University of Culture was recognised by the UGC (University Grant Commission) on November 6, 2017.The university had invited applications for admission to MA (Master in Arts) courses this year, however the session has not started yet due to an impasse regarding the admission process.

The official said that the university may take in only 20 students who hold Bachelor's degrees per Department for MA courses due to lack of proper infrastructure.

When the infrastructure improves, more students may get admission with the approval of the UGC.

Since 2016, the university has taught about 700 students.

The varsity has 28 regular teachers, one contract teacher and 58 guest faculties.

Manipur University of Culture was the first such university in the North-East.

Recently two universities have been established in Assam.

There is also an Utkal University of Culture in Odisha which is old.

Countries like France, Australia and Thailand also have cultural universities, added the official.

The varsity official also stated that universities in other countries have proposed teachers and students exchange programmes.

There are many Japanese students who wish to study in the Manipur University of Culture.

France has also proposed to send their students and Thailand students have shown interest in doing internships at the varsity.

There are also some who want to do PhD in the varsity.

However, COVID-19 pandemic has affected these programmes, said the official.

Wishing for speedy approval and construction of the university at the earliest, the official said that the varsity needs proper infrastructure to function efficiently and promote Manipur's culture and art.

Improving the varsity and enhancing its growth may also attract tourists who are interested in art and culture to visit the State, the official added.

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