The first on-campus Postgraduate (PG) Graduation Ceremony 2023 of Tetso College was held on 18th August at Lorin Hall, Tetso College, Sovima, Chümoukedima. The 2023 PG Graduating class comprised 21 students of the School of English and Political Science. The commencement Speaker was Dr. Yanbeni Yanthan, Assistant Professor, Centre for Naga Tribal Language Studies, Nagaland University.
The ceremony set in motion with the principal’s address, Dr. Hewasa L. Khing. Dr. Khing thanked God for His blessings upon the College. Encouraging the students, she mentioned that the success of the students reflects the success of the college and its stakeholders. Dr. Khing further added that the Tetso College degree is not bought but earned with hard work and perseverance, it is a degree meant to provide refined confidence and not arrogance, a degree to be wiser and humbler, more sensible and a thirst and curiosity to continuously learn more and strive for excellence. The address was followed with the Valedictorian’s Speech. Ms Binu K. Sangma, from the Political Science Department was the Valedictorian for the Ceremony securing a CGPA of 7.44. Ms Sangma thanked the College for providing multiple platforms like workshops, internships, seminars, etc., for the students and molding them to be confident. She expressed gratitude to her professors, friends and family. Altogether 21 students graduated, 13 from English and 8 from Political Science.
The commencement Speaker was Dr. Yanbeni Yanthan, Assistant Professor, Centre for Naga Tribal Language Studies, Nagaland University. Dr. Yanthan is a prolific writer and intellectual, contributing to the Naga indigenous studies. In her address, she highlighted the importance of the Naga culture, tradition and practices. She also mentioned about being fixated to certain things or conditions and how it will have an impact in our lives and we will lose out on multiple things. Dr. Yanthan encouraged the
students with the statement that one should also be mindful of himself/herself and should always keep a plan B. Further she stated that there are no shortcuts to success besides hard work and perseverance. Competition to a healthy degree is good but over competitiveness dehumanizes us. Being someone who studied outside of Nagaland, Dr. Yanthan stressed on the difference of education. She mentioned that students should not be taught “what to think” but “how to think”. Knowledge is everywhere but what needs to be taught is how to use or apply it. The culture of asking questions should be adopted like in other parts of the world. She concluded with the statement that we should not feel the pressure to adapt to other modes of thinking that we end up losing the authenticity of our culture. We need to build confidence in our indigenous culture.
The ceremony concluded with vote of thanks delivered by the Chairperson, Dr. S. Hohoi, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science.