Mizoram University has entered into a formal agreement with the Institute of Chin Affairs in neighbouring Myanmar to deepen academic cooperation between the two institutions, officials confirmed on Tuesday. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Mizoram University Vice Chancellor Prof. Dibakar Chandra Deka and Institute of Chin Affairs deputy executive director Mai Lucy Mawi, marking a significant step toward strengthening cross-border educational engagement.
Under the pact, the two institutions will collaborate on several academic initiatives, including the introduction of a diploma programme in spoken Burmese, admission opportunities for students from Myanmar at Mizoram University, and joint research projects. University officials said these efforts are aimed at expanding institutional ties while fostering greater interaction between the communities.
The initiative comes at a time when Mizoram is hosting more than 31,000 refugees from Myanmar, most of them from Chin state. The influx has highlighted the growing importance of educational programmes that can support refugee students and promote long-term academic integration. Officials noted that hundreds of Myanmar refugee children are already enrolled in schools across the state, and the new agreement is expected to further enhance their access to higher education and language training.
By focusing on both immediate educational needs and future opportunities, the partnership seeks to strengthen academic links, encourage cultural exchange, and create avenues for students from conflict-affected regions to pursue meaningful learning and research. University officials believe the collaboration will help build a more connected academic environment for students on both sides of the border.
