DIMAPUR: Minister of Higher Education and Tourism, Temjen Imna Along, encouraged graduands to recognise the value of the education, merit and talents they had acquired, while reminding them that achievement also carries the responsibility to contribute to society.
He was speaking at the Convocation cum Auditorium Inauguration of Nagaland College of Music & Fine Arts (NCMFA) on August 31, 2026, marking a significant milestone in the growth of the institution and celebrating the achievements of its graduating students.
The minister emphasised that once students become meritorious and acquire knowledge and skills, they themselves become an enterprise. He cautioned that if they were to keep their degrees, knowledge and merits only to themselves, it would ultimately be a loss-not only for them but for society as a whole. He urged the graduands to multiply their gifts and talents rather than keep them to themselves, using their abilities to create opportunities, inspire others and contribute meaningfully to the community. He stressed the importance of taking what they had learnt beyond the college and allowing their knowledge, creativity and talents to grow through sharing and application.
The new college auditorium was ceremonially unveiled by the minister, while the dedication prayer was pronounced by Rev. Dr. Kevekhalo Lasuh, senior pastor, CBCK. A technical report on the construction was presented by Er. Vilini Q. Wotsa, SDO, PWD (H), Education Division, Kohima.
The ceremony also witnessed the first official unveiling and rendition of the NCMFA College Anthem, with words and music by Ameu Usou Zao, faculty, NCMFA. Addressing the gathering on behalf of the graduands, Neivilie Sothu reflected on the experiences and journey of the graduating students.
The convocation witnessed the conferment of Bachelor of Music degrees upon the graduating students. Each graduand was called individually to the stage to receive the degree certificate from the Commencement Speaker, while the graduation tassel was ceremonially turned by Vesato Theluo, managing director, NCMFA. Medozho Zango presented flower tokens to the graduands as a gesture symbolising celebration and the blossoming of their future journeys.
The Academic Excellence Award was presented to Ayangbam Amordius Khuman, topper of the 2025 batch, and Neivilie Sothu, topper of the 2026 batch, in recognition of their outstanding academic performance. The graduands were subsequently given a Graduands’ Charge by Vesato Theluo, followed by a special prayer by Rev. Suhuto Chishi, youth secretary, NBCC.
In the closing remarks, Dr. Rükulü KezoPuro, principal and chairperson, pronounced the note of gratitude, and the convocation concluded with the academic recessional.
