Nagaland University, the only Central University in the State, has launched a Master of Arts programme in Language and Culture, an interdisciplinary Master’s degree. The programme is a timely and significant initiative aimed at preserving, promoting, and advancing the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of the Naga people.
In keeping with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which stresses on the importance of interdisciplinary/ multidisciplinary approaches that underscores the interconnectedness of knowledge, the course will allow students to learn and explore different courses or curricula from different areas of study, instead of being confined with only one discipline.
Students who graduate from this programme would be equipped to avail NET exams in three papers: 1) Linguistics 2) Folk Literature 3) Tribal and Regional Language
The First Batch will commence classes from the 5th of August, 2025. A total of 20 Students will be admitted to this program.
Speaking about this new program, Prof. Jagadish Kumar Patnaik, Vice-Chancellor, Nagaland University, said, “It gives me immense pleasure to announce the launch of the Master of Arts programme in Language and Culture by the Centre for Naga Tribal Language Studies, Nagaland University. This marks a historic milestone as the first interdisciplinary master’s degree of its kind introduced by our university. The programme is a timely and significant initiative aimed at preserving, promoting, and advancing the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of the Naga people. It reflects Nagaland University’s continued commitment to academic excellence, inclusivity, and the advancement of indigenous knowledge systems.”
Being offered by the Centre for Naga Tribal Language Studies, the course is designed as a four-semester interdisciplinary programme incorporating the core perspectives from various schools of thought underpinning the study of language and culture. By employing such a multifaceted, interdisciplinary lens, the course breaks away from the traditional modes of working in silos to implement a more holistic understanding.
Further, Dr. Yanbeni Yanthan, Assistant Professor, Centre for Naga Tribal Language Studies, Nagaland University, said, “The course aims to remain relevant to meet the growing challenges of the 21st century especially in terms of social impact, contribution to policy making at the grass root level and tackling sensitive issues such as cultural heritage, language revitalisation, language policy as well as tackling poetics and practices of lesser studied indigenous cultures.”
In terms of career opportunities, the programme will equip students in a wide range of career paths, both traditional and emerging- including research, teaching, digital archiving, consultancy, development sector professionals, language planning and policy analysts. With an MA in such an interdisciplinary field, one steps into a future where the knowledge doesn’t reside simply in books but breathes life into a community’s policies and heritage, particularly important for tribal, lesser-documented and lesser-known languages and cultures.
The Program reflects Nagaland University’s continued commitment to academic excellence, inclusivity, and the advancement of indigenous knowledge systems. Such a holistic and multidisciplinary approach in education is crucial for developing well-rounded individuals, especially in the challenge to meet the emerging issues of our times so as to ensure a productive and satisfying life.
