GUWAHATI, Dec 25 � The Gauhati University Institute of North East Studies (GUINES) has been getting tremendous response from the aspirant research scholars to its PhD programme. Over 250 aspirant scholars appeared in the recently held PhD entrance test of the institute for the coming session, said Director of the institute Professor Umesh Deka.
Prof Deka said that he institute, set up on February 1, 2010, has been able to provide enough scope for the students and research scholars for the study of the cultures, languages, literatures, socio-economic conditions, natural environment, communication systems, technologies and other aspects of the NE region.
In 2010-11 academic year, the institute started its PhD programme with 41 scholars, who started research on various topics connected with the NE region. The institute is also taking keen interest in enriching the cultural heritage, languages and literatures of the NE people. It has been making a number of endeavours towards that end.
Immediately after its inception, the institute organized a photo exhibition on March 19, 2010 displaying the photographs taken by Sangita Chakravarty on different designs of traditional dresses of the NE region.
To mark its first anniversary, the institute organized a three-day national seminar from February 2, 2011, on �North East as a diverse tribal languages belt�, in collaboration with the Tribal Literary Forum of India.
Over 500 scholars from various parts of the country took part in the seminar and about 300 thought-provoking papers were presented in it. The institute also organized a 45-day drama workshop in collaboration with the National School of Drama (NSD) from July 27 to September 9, 2011.
The success of the workshop was such that it made the NSD to go for a decision to introduce a diploma course in drama in the institute.
The institute is planning to introduce PG diploma courses in ethnic studies, media and culture, theatre studies and certificate courses in dance forms like the Sattriya, Manipuri and Bihu in the days to come. It is also planning a national seminar on Dr Bhupen Hazarika and his contributions to the nation in mid-2012, said Prof Deka.
