ITANAGAR, Dec 04: Director, Higher & Technical Education Dr. Joram Begi returned here after a 40 days visit to USA, Canada and Guatemala.
The main objective of his visit was to explore and understand the world’s best universities, academic institutions and establish academic collaborations to bring Arunachal Pradesh in the forefront of global scenario. Apart from this, he had an opportunity to interact with elders of the Maya Tradition of Guatemala, one of the oldest pre-Colombian civilizations surviving till today in spite of Spanish invasion and continuous suppression. It was a great learning example to preserve and nurture one’s own traditions and cultural heritage.
Dr. Begi’s presentation on local community’s contribution in maintaining rich bio-diversity in Arunachal Pradesh was well received in Patel Institute of Global Sustainability, University of South Florida (USF), Tampa. It resulted in forging collaborations with the Patel institute that opened new doors for the faculties of technical institutes of Arunachal Pradesh to work with the faculties of world’s best universities, including USF and NIIT Madras (India). His discussion with Alison Prince-Rom, Director, Center for Global Advancement and Internal Affairs, Rutgers State University of New Jersey has triggered new avenues for future possible collaborations to send Arunachalee students who would like to further their studies in International Affairs.
Dr. Begi also visited world ranking universities like Berkely University and Stanford University California that produced highest Nobel laureates. He was also successful in building collaboration for RIWATCH and other academic institutions of higher education of Arunachal Pradesh.
During his visit to Antigua in Guatemala, he interacted with Mayan elders Tata Alejandro, Tata Camaja and Elizabeth Aurajo. The Mayan culture mostly flourished from the third to the ninth century. The Maya civilization is credited with the building of truly awe-inspiring temples, pyramids and well planned cities. They are known to have developed and thrived within a complex social and political order. Many of the remnants like Yaxha and Tikal reveal that the Mayan culture excelled in many different fields, and the modern world is still unearthing testaments of their achievements. Today descendents of the ancient Maya account for more than 50 percent of the populations of Guatemala. Their culture is still vibrant and thriving. Traditionally dressed women and children in the entire country are a great show of their association with and pride in the ancient Mayan civilization.
While returning Dr. Begi, said without hesitation that “It is learning from example and Arunachal needs to learn to protect and preserve their culture and traditions”.
In Canada, he visited Gondola Park and the places where G8 Summit was held. It was a frozen cold with -5 degree temperature. But still there was life as if everybody has adopted the life in extreme weather conditions. He says, “If anything is to learn from the West is the cleanliness, sincerity towards one’s work and respect for law.” said a press release of RIWATCH.
His trip was sponsored by International Center for Cultural Studies (ICCS)-USA, a parent body of RIWATCH Arunachal Pradesh.