Guwahati, July 14 -- Nagaland University has introduced a new postgraduate programme in Rural Development and Management aimed at preparing professionals to address developmental challenges in rural areas, officials said on Monday.

The programme, launched under the Department of Rural Development and Planning, was approved during the university's 40th Academic Council meeting. It will admit 20 students in its first batch.

According to Vice-Chancellor Jagdish Patnaik, the course is particularly relevant given that over 70 per cent of Nagaland's population resides in rural areas. He said the programme will provide students with knowledge in areas such as rural economy, governance, social dynamics, natural resource management, and the plan...