RIWATCH inks collaboration with AMERICA’s Leading University On Public Research

28 February 2012: Research Institute of World’s Ancient Traditions Cultures and Heritage (RIWATCH) achieved a new feat on Sunday when it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with University of South Florida (USF).

USF is a member institution of the State University System of Florida, which is one of the Florida state's three flagship universities for public research, and is located in Tampa, Florida, USA.

The MoU was signed between Dr Joram Begi, Director of Higher and Technical Education, government of Arunachal Pradesh and chairperson, RIWATCH and Dr Maria de los Angeles Crummett, Associate Vice President for Global Affairs, USF in a simple ceremony held at institute's campus located in Khinjili, Roing. A large gathering of local villagers, government officials, social workers, well wishers, and host of dignitaries that included Laeta Umbrey, MLA, Roing, Kelo Pulu, President, Idu Mishmi Cultural and Literary Society (IMCLS), Tone Mickrow, Secretary, IMCLS and Iduli ZPM Anjite Menjo witnessed the historic signing.

“The new partnership seeks to explore together on activities of an academic and cultural nature by involving students and faculties of USF and RIWATCH by developing collaborative projects to strengthen and enrich international educational and research experiences,” said Vijai Swami, Full Bright Fellow and Executive Director, RIWACH. “It will open avenues for students and researchers to explore cultural and educational studies across the continent.”

The two parties agreed to support its faculties and researchers to develop contracts and propose collaborative projects which will be considered based on its merit and availability of funds. It further agreed to seek internal and external sources of support of project programmes and exchanges.

Speaking on behalf of USF, Dr Maria said, “We have come here to work with you because we are dreaming big and USF as a global institution believes in engaging locally, nationally and internationally. This is a very special honor for us because we are working with nothing less than humanity itself.”

USF is classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a "very high research" institution. In its 2010 ranking, the Intellectual Property Owners Association placed USF 9th among all universities worldwide in the number of US patents granted.

“How it is that we can enrich the life of our students in America, by knowing about people, languages, cultures, traditions of another country, of another region of India. And that is here present, vibrant and welcomes us with open arms,” said Dr Maria expressing delight at the prospect of USF’s new engagement with the local community.

“It is an honor and privilege to be represented, to be part of the great institution RIWATCH which defines what we mean by global engagement,” she said.

RIWATCH was established in Nov 5, 2009 at Iduli, Roing and its foundation was laid by Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, Gen. J. J. Singh. It is an Affiliate unit of International Centre for Cultural Studies (ICCS), Pennsylvania, USA.

The institute offers research scholars to study different ethnic groups of North East India and initiate comparative and cross cultural studies of various ethnic groups of different countries. It also facilitates young scholars from North East India to have opportunities of cross cultural studies in foreign countries and vice versa.

RIWATCH is spread over 10 hectors of land in Khinjili, Roing donated by Somu Linggi, former IMCLS General Secretary and RIWATCH Treasurer. The newly completed administrative block was inaugurated by Dr Maria.

Dr Ann C. DeBaldo, Associate Vice President for USF health international who was accompanied Dr Maria inaugurated the RIWATCH’s new building of Center for Public Health Research. The institute has as many as six departments: Center of Himalayan Herbs and Ethnic Medicine (HHEM), sociology, anthropology, archaeology and museaology. The campus has a well developed herbal garden that grows local medicinal plants and other important herbs.

RIWATCH also has the Center for Community Research, located in Abali village, 5 km from the main campus in a plot owned by institute member Kotige Mena. It is established as part of the institute to engage and work with the local community. It was inaugurated by Dr Martha L Coulter, director, Harrell Center for the Study of Family Violence, USF College of Public Health.

RIWATCH proposes to develop itself into a full fledged university to be known as UWATCH (University of World’s Ancient Traditions Cultures and Heritage). Despite infrastructure hurdles and a humble beginning, Vijai Swami, the brain behind the institute is optimistic enough. “It’s not the building that will make the RIWATCH. The programs will make the RIWATCH,” he says.