Dimapur, 30th October 2026 (Nokinketer News): Seven students were recognised for their outstanding academic achievements at the 33rd Presentation Ceremony of the Mayangnokcha Awards for Academic Excellence (MAT) 2026, held at St. John Higher Secondary Residential School, Dimapur, on Friday.

The ceremony highlighted the importance of academic excellence, integrity and character-building, with speakers urging students to adapt to the rapidly changing world while upholding strong human values.

Addressing the gathering, Trustee of the Mayangnokcha Award Trust, Dr. Kilangwabang Pongener, stressed the need for education to evolve with changing times, particularly in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, automation, robotics and emerging technologies.

He said education must go beyond preparing students for examinations and equip them with the ability to adapt, think critically, communicate effectively, solve problems and pursue lifelong learning.

Advising students to embrace technological advancements without compromising their human values, Dr Kilang encouraged them to use artificial intelligence as a tool rather than allow it to replace independent thinking, creativity, empathy and ethical judgement. He urged students not to fear failure or the changing world but to prepare themselves to contribute meaningful solutions to society.

Highlighting the vision behind the establishment of the Mayangnokcha Award Trust in the early 1990s, he recalled that a group of young people came together with the shared objective of promoting academic excellence and strengthening Nagaland’s education system, inspired by the life and contributions of Mayangnokcha, who dedicated himself to educating the Nagas. The awards were instituted in 1994 to encourage positive competitiveness and recognise academic achievements.

Quoting Nelson Mandela’s observation that education is the most powerful weapon to change the world, Kilang cited Singapore as an example of how sustained investment in education could contribute to national development and economic growth.

He also highlighted the Trust’s initiatives beyond the annual award presentation, including the publication of biographies, academic programmes and a school assessment survey conducted between 2009 and 2011 with the support of the State Government. The survey helped schools identify areas requiring improvement while promoting healthy competition among educational institutions.

Dr Kilang expressed gratitude to the organisations sponsoring cash awards for subject toppers, the Nagaland Board of School Education, the family members of Mayangnokcha, the host institution, award recipients, parents, teachers and all those who contributed to the successful conduct of the ceremony.

Speaking on the theme, “Excellence with Integrity: Building Character in a Competitive World,” Trustee Akok Walling congratulated the award recipients and acknowledged the contributions of parents, teachers and educational institutions in shaping their achievements.

Walling said academic excellence should not be measured merely by high marks but should serve as a foundation for greater accomplishments in life. True excellence, he maintained, was reflected not only in what a person knows but also in how that knowledge is understood and applied for the benefit of society.

Emphasising the demands of an increasingly competitive world, he said knowledge, competence and discipline, backed by hard work and perseverance, were essential for success. He encouraged students to practise healthy emulation rather than unhealthy competition, stressing that the focus should be on self-improvement instead of jealousy or pulling others down.

Highlighting four dimensions of knowledge—acquired, intellectual, revealed and experiential—Walling stressed that these must be strengthened by integrity. While knowledge provides the ability to do things, he said, integrity guides individuals in deciding what ought to be done.

He urged students to cultivate honesty, humility, self-discipline, courage, kindness, perseverance and responsibility, reminding them to remain humble in success, learn from failures and acknowledge those who contributed to their achievements. He concluded that while academic distinction was valuable, moral distinction and integrity were indispensable for lasting excellence and responsible citizenship.

AWARD RECIPIENTS

The prestigious Mayangnokcha Award for Academic Excellence, presented to the overall topper, was conferred on Benchumo Tungoe of Isaiah Ability Higher Secondary School, Wokha.

The six subject-specific awards were presented as follows:

  • MAT-Rockdale Award (Ao MIL): Imnokila Mollier of Queen Mary Higher Secondary School, Mokokchung. The award was instituted by Rockdale Club, Mokokchung.
  • MAT-YRSD Award (Social Sciences): Benchumo Tungoe of Isaiah Ability Higher Secondary School, Wokha. The award was instituted by the Youth Resources and Sports Department, Nagaland.
  • MAT-TY Award (Science): Ikehakpeule of St. Paul Higher Secondary School, Dimapur. The award was instituted by Tir Yimyim Daily, Dimapur.
  • MAT-EFOM Award (Mathematics): Thepfukuolie Mere of Mezhür Higher Secondary School, Kohima. The award was instituted by the Education Forum of Mokokchung.
  • MAT-CEC Award (English): Keneitseinuo Celine Belho of St. Joseph’s Higher Secondary School, Chümoukedima. The award was instituted by C-Edge College, Dimapur.
  • MAT-Lenjeter Award (Agriculture): Neilhou Belho of Northfield, Khikha. The award was instituted by Lenjeter, an Ao magazine.

The programme began with an invocation by Pastor Roland Ngullie of Senjum Baptist Church, Dimapur, followed by a presentation titled “The Educationist” by the Youth Ministry of Indisen Baptist Arogo, Dimapur. Students of St. John Higher Secondary Residential School also presented a special performance.

The ceremony concluded with a prayer of blessing by Pastor Toshi Imchen of St. John Higher Secondary Residential School.

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