DIMAPUR: The 33rd presentation ceremony of the Mayangnokcha Awards for Academic Excellence (MAT) 2026 was held at St. John Higher Secondary Residential School, Dimapur, on October 30, recognising outstanding academic achievers from across Nagaland.
The prestigious Mayangnokcha Award for Academic Excellence was conferred on Benchumo Tungoe of Isaiah Ability Higher Secondary School, Wokha, who emerged as the overall topper. The MAT-Rockdale Award for the subject topper in Ao (MIL), instituted by Rockdale Club, Mokokchung, was presented to Imnokila Mollier of Queen Mary Higher Secondary School, Mokokchung. The MAT-YRSD Award for the subject topper in Social Sciences, instituted by the Youth Resources and Sports Department, Nagaland, was conferred on Benchumo Tungoe of Isaiah Ability Higher Secondary School, Wokha. The MAT-TY Award for the subject topper in Science, instituted by Tir Yimyim Daily, Dimapur, was awarded to Ikehakpeule of St. Paul Higher Secondary School, Dimapur. The MAT-EFOM Award for the subject topper in Mathematics, instituted by the Education Forum of Mokokchung, was conferred on Thepfukuolie Mere of Mezhür Higher Secondary School, Kohima. The MAT-CEC Award for the subject topper in English, instituted by C-Edge College, Dimapur, was presented to Keneitseinuo Celine Belho of St. Joseph’s Higher Secondary School, Chümoukedima. The MAT-Lenjeter Award for the subject topper in Agriculture, instituted by Lenjeter, an Ao magazine, was conferred on Neilhou Belho of Northfield School, Khikha. Addressing the gathering, trustee of the Mayangnokcha Award Trust, Dr. Kilangwabang Pongener, stressed the need for education to evolve in response to the rapidly changing world shaped by artificial intelligence, automation, robotics and other emerging technologies.
He said education should go beyond examination performance and equip students with critical thinking, adaptability, communication skills, problem-solving abilities and a commitment to lifelong learning. While encouraging students to embrace technological advancements, he urged them not to allow technology to replace creativity, empathy, independent thinking and ethical judgment. Dr. Pongener also highlighted the origins of the Mayangnokcha Award Trust, stating that it was established in the early 1990s by a group of young people inspired by the vision and contributions of Mayangnokcha, who dedicated his life to educating the Nagas. Instituted in 1994, the awards seek to promote academic excellence and healthy competition among students.
Referring to Nelson Mandela’s famous statement that education is the most powerful weapon to change the world, he cited Singapore as an example of how investment in education could drive national development. He also noted that the Trust’s initiatives extended beyond award presentations to include publications, academic programmes and a school assessment survey conducted between 2009 and 2011. Dr. Pongener also 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 role of parents, teachers and educational institutions in their success.
Walling emphasised that academic excellence should not be measured solely by marks but should serve as a foundation for greater achievements in life. He said true excellence lies not only in acquiring knowledge but also in applying it responsibly for the benefit of society. Highlighting the demands of an increasingly competitive world, he said discipline, competence, hard work and perseverance were essential for success. He encouraged students to practise healthy emulation rather than unhealthy competition and focus on self-improvement instead of comparison with others.
He further stressed that integrity must accompany knowledge, noting that while knowledge provides the ability to act, integrity guides individuals in choosing what is right. He urged students to uphold honesty, humility, courage, kindness, perseverance and responsibility, while remaining grounded in success and resilient in failure.
The ceremony also 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 programme concluded with a prayer of blessing by pastor Toshi Imchen of St. John Higher Secondary Residential School.
