Imphal, September 2, 2026: Manipur University organised the Research Scholars’ Meet 2026 at the Auditorium Hall of the University on Wednesday under the theme “Strengthening Research Culture for Academic Excellence.” The programme was organised by the Research Club, Manipur University, in collaboration with MUSU 2025–26, bringing together research scholars, faculty members and university officials to promote quality research, academic collaboration and scholarly engagement on the campus.

Prof. R.K. Hemakumar Singh, Vice-Chancellor (in-charge), Manipur University, attended the programme as Chief Guest, while Nongpoknganba Yambem, President, MUSU 2025–26, presided over the function.

The Guests of Honour were Prof. Ch. Ibohal Singh, Dean, Students’ Welfare; Prof. M.C. Arunkumar, Dean, Human and Environmental Science and Editor-in-Chief of Research Update; and Prof. Angom Dilip Kumar Singh, Director, Research & Development Cell, Manipur University.

A major highlight of the programme was the launch of Research Update, the research journal of Manipur University, providing a platform for researchers to disseminate their scholarly work and contribute to the academic discourse of the University.

The programme also celebrated the achievements of the University's research community. Eighteen scholars who were awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), 22 awardees, four achievers and eight contributors to the journal Research Update were felicitated in recognition of their academic and research accomplishments and to encourage them in their future scholarly pursuits.



Delivering the Chief Guest's address, Prof. R.K. Hemakumar Singh said the quality of an academic institution depends substantially on both the quality of students it admits and the academic output it ultimately produces. Drawing an analogy between admission as an “inlet” and examination and academic achievement as an “outlet”, he stressed that attracting good students and nurturing them in a strong academic environment would determine the quality and reputation of the University.

Prof. Hemakumar emphasised merit and transparency in admissions, particularly at a time when the State continues to face social unrest and conflict. Recalling his experience in academic administration, he said he had consistently stood for merit in admissions despite recommendations and external pressures, maintaining that deserving students should receive opportunities on the basis of merit.

He appreciated the efforts of faculty members, Heads and Deans, MUSU and student representatives in facilitating the admission process and helping the University attract deserving students.

Turning to research, the Vice-Chancellor expressed concern over the relatively small number of research scholars, including JRF and NET-qualified candidates, joining the University. He called for efforts to attract more qualified scholars and explore possibilities for filling available research seats, stressing that a strong pool of researchers is essential for the University's academic future.

Prof. Hemakumar said meaningful research and quality publication cannot be produced overnight. Comparing the development of a researcher to the growth of a seed into a productive plant, he observed that good research requires time, an enabling academic environment, sustained effort and dedication from both scholars and their supervisors.

He also encouraged greater collaborative research, noting that contemporary scholarship increasingly requires researchers and institutions to share expertise, facilities and resources rather than work entirely in isolation.

The Vice-Chancellor stressed that research should not end with obtaining a degree or publishing a paper. Its output should find a place in quality academic journals and, more importantly, contribute meaningfully to society. He urged scholars to make productive use of their research period and build academic work that would enhance their own careers as well as the standing of Manipur University.

Prof. Hemakumar also referred to the University's efforts concerning the four-year Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP). He said substantial preparatory work had already been undertaken through a committee constituted earlier and that the University was taking the remaining process forward.

He referred to the need to finalise the necessary ordinances, academic and regulatory requirements for the programme. The process, he said, also involves prescribed requirements concerning faculty, infrastructure and institutional inspection, which have to be fulfilled before the programme can be introduced. He indicated that the University would work towards completing the process at the earliest while ensuring compliance with the applicable norms.

Expressing his vision for the University's research environment, Prof. Hemakumar hoped that future editions of Research Update would grow in quality and volume and provide greater visibility to research undertaken at Manipur University in the national and international academic community.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. M.C. Arunkumar, Dean, Human and Environmental Science and Editor-in-Chief of Research Update, recalled the history of the Research Club, Manipur University, tracing its beginnings to around 1990–91, when like-minded researchers came together to create a common academic platform within the University.

He recalled that the initiative was started by noted writer and Sahitya Akademi Award winner Yumlembam Ibomcha Singh, along with other scholars, with the objective of encouraging intellectual interaction, exchange of ideas and a stronger research culture among researchers on the campus.

Prof. Arunkumar said the Research Club subsequently developed as a platform where scholars could engage beyond the boundaries of their individual disciplines. He emphasised the need for the present generation of researchers to preserve that spirit and strengthen academic discussion, collaboration and scholarly publication.

Referring to Research Update, he highlighted the journal's role in providing researchers with a platform to communicate and disseminate their work. He encouraged young scholars to carry forward the research movement initiated more than three decades ago and strengthen both the Research Club and its academic publication.

Prof. Angom Dilip Kumar Singh, Director, Research & Development Cell, drew attention to the changing structure of postgraduate education under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the increasing integration of research into postgraduate curricula.

Referring particularly to the research component in the fourth semester of postgraduate programmes, Prof. Dilip Kumar stressed the need to strengthen project-based research and give it appropriate academic weightage within the evolving credit framework. Such exposure, he said, would provide postgraduate students with a stronger foundation before they move into doctoral and other advanced research.

He emphasised that postgraduate research should not be treated merely as a project to be completed for earning credits. It should systematically expose students to problem identification, research design, methodology, data collection and analysis, academic writing and publication-oriented research. Strengthening research training at the postgraduate level, he observed, would ultimately improve the quality of scholars entering PhD programmes and contribute to a stronger research ecosystem within the University.

Prof. Angom Dilip Kumar Singh also stressed the importance of research ethics, urging scholars to uphold academic integrity, responsible research practices and ethical standards throughout their research and publication process.

Prof. Ch. Ibohal Singh, Dean, Students’ Welfare, highlighted the important role of research scholars in strengthening the academic standing of the University. He encouraged young researchers to pursue their work with discipline, commitment and intellectual curiosity and to ensure that their academic work remains relevant to the larger needs of society.

He underlined the importance of creating an enabling academic environment in which research scholars, supervisors, faculty members and the University administration work together, stressing that sustained cooperation among different sections of the University is essential for building a vibrant research culture.

Prof. Ch. Ibohal Singh also emphasised the growing importance of a multidisciplinary approach to research, encouraging scholars to move beyond disciplinary boundaries and draw on knowledge and perspectives from different fields to address complex research problems.

Earlier, Chingkheihunba Haobam, Research Scholar Representative, Manipur University Students’ Union (MUSU) 2025–26, delivered the welcome and keynote address.

In his presidential address, Nongpoknganba Yambem, President, MUSU 2025–26, expressed appreciation to the dignitaries, faculty members, research scholars, awardees, achievers, journal contributors, organisers and all those who supported the successful organisation of the Research Scholars’ Meet.

The programme also featured a special Thang-Ta performance, adding a cultural dimension to the academic gathering. Moirangthem David Singh, Research Scholar, PESS, Manipur University, proposed the vote of thanks.

The Research Scholars’ Meet 2026 concluded with a renewed call to build a more vibrant, collaborative and socially relevant research culture at Manipur University and to encourage young scholars to pursue academic excellence with integrity, perseverance and a commitment to producing knowledge that benefits society.