By Felix Anthony
Namsai: Students from a Catholic college have won four top ranks in bachelor degree course examinations conducted by the oldest university in the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh.
The Venerable Uktara Bethany College (VUBC) at Namsai has produced outstanding results in the 2020 undergraduate examinations conducted by Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU). The results were announced on November 27.
Among the toppers are Ajam Mossang topped in commerce, Kimtu Jugli in history, Chow Luseng Manchey in geography and Ahhie Megha in sociology.
The university based in Arunachal Pradesh’s Doimukh, has 42 colleges registered under it.
The (VUBC), under the diocese of Miao, is the only bachelor degree college in the eastern region of Arunachal Pradesh.
Expressing happiness over her students’ excellent performance, college principal Bethany Sister Janet Mendonca said, “These students give us hope for the future and satisfaction that our hard work has not gone in vain.”
Appreciating the staff for their dedication towards the students, the nun said, “All our professors are in their 20’s but their passion and commitment to their role as educators is the primary reason for the outstanding academic performance of the college over the years.”
She said the VUBC was established only six years ago by Bishop George Pallipparambil of Miao in response to repeated requests from parents and students who would often scout for good colleges outside the state. He invited the Mangaluru-based Bethany sisters to start the institution of higher education for the benefit of the young people, especially women, in the region.
Congratulating the students and the faculty, the Salesian prelate said, “Now that you are the toppers in academic pursuit, may you be the toppers in the examinations of life as well by the quality you demonstrate.”
Began with 55 students in 2014, the first batch of students were graduated in 2017 with two gold medalists and seven rank holders. In the subsequent years, the college has continuously produced toppers. In 2018, the college had two gold medalists and 11 rank holders and in 2019 two students bagged gold medals and 15 various ranks.
The college also has registered a 100 percent pass this year with all the 92 students clearing their undergraduate examinations.
Namsai, situated near the Nao-Dihing river, is the headquarters of Namsai district in Arunachal Pradesh. It is one of the 60 legislative constituencies of the state. It is some 70 km northwest of Miao, the diocesan headquarters. The nearest railway station is Tinsukia in Assam, some 75 km south.