My struggle for establishment of DM Community College and DDU-KAUSHAL Kendra– Part 1

Dr Raheijuddin Sheikh (Shamu)
Contd from previous issue
To ensure transparency and effective coordination, copies of this communication were circulated to key stakeholders including the Principal Secretary to Commissioner (Higher & Technical Education) of Manipur Government, the Director (University & Higher Education), Dr. Mohd. Arif as UGC Nominee from Guwahati, the Director of College Development Council at Manipur University, and all appointed Advisory Commi- ttee members comprising distinguished academics like Dr A Rajamani Singh from Manipur University, Dr Kh Manglem Singh of NIT Imphal, industry expert Dr Th Dhabali Singh, Prof N Nimai Singh, and former Doordarshan Director Shri S Indrakumar Singh, with the documents also being made available on the college website kaushaldmcc.com for public access. This meticulous documentation serves as both an official record of the committee's formation and a verification of compliance with UGC guidelines, while establishing a foundation for future governance and creating a reference point for all stakeholders.
AERB-Compliant Radio Imaging Laboratory
Recognizing the critical safety requirements mandated by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) for housing radiological equipment, I formally sought Govt approval for constructing an isolated laboratory facility. The proposed structure was essen- tial for properly installing X-ray machines and other imaging equipment (MRI, CT-Scan, and Ultrasound) to support hands-on training in the Radio Imaging Technology program at DM Community College.
At the heart of this transformational project was Dr B Arunkumar Sharma, Radio Physicist from RIMS Imphal's Radiotherapy Department, whose expertise was instrumental in designing and supervising the installation of these world-class medical imaging systems. His meticulous approach ensured our facility met both international technical standards and Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) compliance requirements.
This marked the birth of Manipur's first AERB-approved vocational training facility for medical imaging technology. Seeing our pioneering students engage with these advanced systems filled me with immense pride, knowing we were creating skilled professionals who would elevate healthcare standards across North East India.
I remain eternally grateful to Dr Sharma for his visionary guidance and to Imaging Inc. for their technical partnership in making this ambitious skill development initiative a reality. This collaboration between academia and industry perfectly embodied the spirit of our DDU-KAUSHAL mission - bridging classroom learning with cutting-edge workplace technology.
The funding for this specialized infrastructure was managed from the initial startup grant approved under the DDU-KAUSHAL Kendra scheme on 14 August 2015. In response to this proposal, the Government of Manipur's Higher & Technical Education Department issued official sanction on 23 February 2016. This communication specifically authorized the construction of a dedicated radiology block, emphasizing strict compliance with AERB safety protocols that required complete physical separation from main academic buildings.
The Government's prompt approval demonstrated its commitment to both educational advancement and regulatory compliance. By establishing this specialized facility, we not only met National safety standards but also created Manipur's first AERB-compliant vocational training centre for medical imaging technology - a significant milestone in enhancing the quality and credibility of skill-based education in the region. This infrastructure development played a pivotal role in ensuring our students received industry-standard training while maintaining the highest safety protocols.
The Struggle to Create First Skill-Based Syllabi
Developing the syllabus for the pioneering skill courses was one of my toughest challenges. While medical institutes in other states naturally offered programs like Medical Lab Technology and Radio Imaging, we had to build everything from scratch. Yet, with students paying high fees at private institutes, the need was urgent.
I worked closely with healthcare industry partners to design practical training components, but convincing the academic establishment proved difficult. Professors from the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences questioned how we would manage infrastructure and teaching staff. Through persistent discussions, I had to reassure them that our industry collaborations would fill these gaps while meeting university standards.
The breakthrough came with the approval of the first two courses: 1) Fruits & Vegetables Technology (12 January 2015) and 2) Medical Lab Technology (12 February 2015). This paved the way for degree programs. On 20 June 2016, the School of Medical Sciences formed a syllabus committee for Radio Imaging Technology, appointing me as Chairman alongside four experts. A similar committee was created for Digital Multimedia Technology. The process required endless revisions. The Radio Imaging syllabus was finally approved on 14 September 2016, while Digital Multimedia faced delays due to title changes and additional reviews, gaining approval only on 16 June 2017.By early 2017, after years of effort, we had established the first-ever skill-based syllabi—aligning with National Occu- pational Standards while balancing practical training and academic requirements. It was a hard-won victory that laid the foundation for vocational education in the state.
The struggle for internship of students
To ensure comprehensive practical training, our students were sent to various industrial institutes during the final month of each semester to gain hands-on experience with equipment handling, fulfilling the skill component requirements of their respec- tive job roles. This industry exposure was facilitated through formal Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between the KAUSHAL Kendra and partner industries, which included provisions for student internships, potential placements, and the exchange of faculty and trainers. In the healthcare sector, students trained at leading institutions such as Babina Healthcare, Shija Hospitals & Research Institute, Public Hospital and Research Institute, JN Medical Institute, and Regional Medical Institute. For the food sector, partnerships were established with Thangjam Agro Industries, Iramdam Food Products, Kanglei Food, and Meira Food, among others. Similarly, students pursuing media-related courses gained valuable experience at renowned media houses like Information Service Television Network, Door-darshan Kendra Imphal, Indrakumar Productions, and Charlie Film Productions. These collaborations not only enhanced the students' practical skills but also strengthened the bridge between academic learning and real-world industry demands, ensuring their readi- ness for professional careers.