Seven students were recognised for academic excellence at the 33rd presentation ceremony of the Mayangnokcha Awards for Academic Excellence (MAT) 2026, held at St. John Higher Secondary Residential School, Dimapur, on October 30.
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 subject-specific awards went to Imnokila Mollier of Queen Mary Higher Secondary School, Mokokchung, for Ao (MIL) under the MAT-Rockdale Award instituted by Rockdale Club, Mokokchung; Benchumo Tungoe for Social Sciences under the MAT-YRSD Award instituted by the Youth Resources and Sports Department, Nagaland; and Ikehakpeule of St. Paul Higher Secondary School, Dimapur, for Science under the MAT-TY Award instituted by Tir Yimyim Daily, Dimapur.
The MAT-EFOM Award for Mathematics, instituted by the Education Forum of Mokokchung, was presented to Thepfukuolie Mere of Mezhür Higher Secondary School, Kohima. Keneitseinuo Celine Belho of St. Joseph’s Higher Secondary School, Chumoukedima, received the MAT-CEC Award for English, instituted by C-Edge College, Dimapur, while Neilhou Belho of Northfield, Khikha, received the MAT-Lenjeter Award for Agriculture, instituted by Lenjeter, an Ao magazine.
Addressing the ceremony, trustee of the Mayangnokcha Award Trust, Dr. Kilangwabang Pongener, said education must evolve with changing times, particularly with the emergence of artificial intelligence, automation, robotics and other technologies.
He said education should go beyond examination preparation and equip students with critical thinking, adaptability, effective communication, problem-solving abilities and a commitment to continuous learning. While encouraging students to embrace technological advancements, he cautioned against allowing artificial intelligence to replace independent thinking, creativity, empathy and ethical judgement.
Recalling the establishment of the Trust in the early 1990s, Dr. Pongener said a group of young people had come together with the objective of promoting academic excellence and strengthening education in Nagaland, inspired by Mayangnokcha’s contribution to educating the Nagas. The awards, instituted in 1994, were intended to encourage healthy competition and recognise academic achievement.
Citing Nelson Mandela’s observation that education is the most powerful weapon to change the world, he referred to Singapore as an example of how investment in education could contribute to national development and economic growth.
He also highlighted the Trust’s initiatives beyond the awards, including publication of biographies, academic programmes and a school assessment survey conducted between 2009 and 2011 with State Government support. The survey helped schools identify areas for improvement and encouraged healthy competition among institutions.
Speaking on the theme, “Excellence with Integrity: Building Character in a Competitive World,” trustee Akok Walling said academic excellence should not be measured merely by marks but by how knowledge is understood and applied for the benefit of society.
He emphasised that knowledge, competence and discipline, backed by hard work and perseverance, were essential in an increasingly competitive world. Encouraging healthy emulation rather than unhealthy competition, he urged students to focus on self-improvement instead of jealousy or pulling others down.
Walling also highlighted four dimensions of knowledge: acquired, intellectual, revealed and experiential. He said integrity must guide the application of knowledge, observing that while knowledge provides the ability to do things, integrity determines what ought to be done.
He urged students to uphold honesty, humility, self-discipline, courage, kindness, perseverance and responsibility, reminding them that moral distinction and integrity were as important as academic achievement in becoming responsible members of society.
Dr. Pongener expressed gratitude to the award sponsors, Nagaland Board of School Education, Mayangnokcha’s family, host institution, recipients, parents, teachers and others who contributed to the ceremony.
The programme featured an invocation by Pastor Roland Ngullie of Senjum Baptist Church, Dimapur, a presentation titled “The Educationist” by the Youth Ministry of Indisen Baptist Arogo, Dimapur, and a special performance by students of St. John Higher Secondary Residential School. The ceremony concluded with a prayer of blessing by Pastor Toshi Imchen of the host institution.