India's Northeastern region was once characterized as a remote, underdeveloped, difficult area inhabited by many conflicting ethnic groups. A history of isolation nurtured this impression and almost divided the country into two parts - the mainland and the northeast. When the central Government put integration of the northeast with the mainland on high priority and privatization turned out to be an acceptable norm due to lack of resources with the seven sisters, this overshadowed corner of the country became a serene environment for many higher educational institutions to pitch in. As a result, the higher education system of northeast states has grown up in a remarkable way. Today, northeastern states are a new frontier in offering quality higher education and producing highly employable graduates for the nation.

The university nurtures students who seek quality higher education and promotes innovative strategies for seamless dissemination and creation of knowledge.

Established in 2013, Himalayan University is one such institution operating from the capital of Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar. "Himalayan University was created to transform the society in the state of Arunachal Pradesh; from stagnation and poverty to dynamism and prosperity, from marginalization and deprivation to empowerment and recognition and from ignorance and delusion to enlightenment and liberation," says Dr. S. Durgaaprosad, Vice Chancellor, Himalayan University.

The university nurtures students who seek quality higher education and promotes innovative strategies for seamless dissemination and creation of knowledge. Talking about the teaching methodologies, Dr. Durgaaprosad says, "The course curriculum in our university comprises theoretical as well as practical knowledge by way of hands-on practice, surveys and field work, depending on the requirement of the program. We make every possible effort to link theoretical principles with the happenings in the surroundings of the learners and how they are at play." With innovative use of new technologies, Himalayan University strives to raise the quality and standards of educational transactions.

The University offers programs at Bachelors, Masters and PhD levels in liberal as well as professional education. Claiming to have a student friendly pedagogy, Dr. Durgaaprosad mentions, "We incorporate three types of pedagogies such as Cognitive-behaviorism, Constructivism and Connectivist. As a result, our students acquire skills to discuss finer details, create new scenarios and explore new situations in problem-solving mode." The University has succeeded in fostering authenticity by adopting a largely constructivist pedagogical framework, teaching and learning processes in particular. Dr. Durgaaprosad, "Moreover, by use of project based teaching-learning in the most underprivileged geographies in India, our students have benefitted to the extent that they can relate their work with the corporate world."

Displaying an extraordinary zeal towards imparting education, Himalayan University has recruited highly knowledgeable and skilled faculty from reputed academic and corporate institutions in the arts, sciences, law, commerce, management and engineering. "Having attracted them, we nurture our talented faculty members by encouraging them to participate in continuous professional development programs conducted by other universities from time to time," shares Dr. Durgaaprosad. Himalayan University invites reputed scholars and experts from within and outside the region to share their understanding of current topics and developments.

Dr. Durgaaprosad opines, "It is true that high quality research is the ultimate benchmark of scholarship vested in a university. In view of the peculiar geographical location of the University, our faculty is handicapped to some extent as far as researches in front-ended areas are concerned." Overcoming this challenge, the faculty members of the Himalayan University with their entrepreneurship development cell, research and development cell and university-industry interaction cell try to relate their teachings and research with developmental studies and the needs of the immediate neighbouring society. To give further impetus to these efforts and improve research output, Himalayan University is planning to avail the e-journal portal of UGC.

"Our graduates are dedicated individuals and believe in the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam 'the world is one family'to serve the society with a sense of service," says Dr. Durgaaprosad. Acting on this belief, the University conducts training sessions to prepare its learners for the world and meet the expectations of employer groups. As placement is the ultimate aim of the educational trajectory for everyone, the university has arrangements for the students to be placed in some of the top-notch organizations. Reaching out for more opportunities, MOUs with CII, JIO, MCXSC, IKF and such other organizations has been already made. With student strength of 3000, Himalayan University plans to expand horizontally as well as vertically by adding newer programs of contemporary relevance, which are technology-enhanced with a commitment to prepare their graduates for their career.

Professor (Dr.) S. Durgaaprosad, Vice Chancellor

An Ex. IAS Officer, Dr. Durgaaprosad has an experience of 48 years including the corporate and education sector. During his service period in the corporate, he served as CEO, District Magistrate, CMD, Principal Secretary, Principal Advisor and has been in the role of Principal, Dean, Director, and Vice Chancellor for the past 25 years. He has guided more than 25 scholars in their PhD Projects at various Universities. He is a recipient of Best Professor from Osmania University and Bangalore University.