DIMAPUR — The first on-campus postgraduate (PG) graduation ceremony of Tetso College was held on August 18 at Lorin Hall of the college with Dr. Yanbeni Yanthan, assistant professor of Centre for Naga Tribal Language Studies at Nagaland University, as the commencement speaker.
An update from the college stated that the 2023 PG graduating class comprised 21 students of the School of English and Political Science.
Delivering the principal’s address, Dr. Hewasa L Khing mentioned that the success of the students reflects the success of the college and its stakeholders. She added that the Tetso College degree is not bought but earned with hard work and perseverance saying, “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.”
Binu K Sangma from the Political Science department was the valedictorian of the ceremony for securing a CGPA of 7.44. Sangma thanked the college for providing multiple platforms like workshops, internships, seminars etc., for the students and moulding them to be confident. She expressed gratitude to her professors, friends and family.
Altogether, 21 students graduated comprising 13 from English and 8 from Political Science.
Dr. Yanbeni Yanthan highlighted the importance of the Naga culture, tradition and practices. She also mentioned being fixated on certain things or conditions and how it would have an impact on our lives and lose out on multiple things.
She encouraged the students to be mindful of themselves and to always keep a plan B. She stated that there are no shortcuts to success besides hard work and perseverance.
“Competition to a healthy degree is good but over-competitiveness dehumanises us,” Dr. Yanthan said.
She stated 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 added.
She concluded by advising them not to feel the pressure to adapt to other modes of thinking and end up losing the authenticity of their culture. She encouraged building confidence in one’s indigenous culture.
The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. S Hohoi, assistant professor of Political Science.
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