Patkai Christian College (Autonomous) hosted its annual Tuisem A. Shishak Lecture (TSAL 2025) on March 22, 2025. The event also featured the presentation of the “Annual Alumni Excellence Award”, which was presented by Dr. T. A. Shishak, principal Emeritus of PCC, alongside Neikhalo Sono, president of the Alumni Association Patkai Christian College.
The Annual Alumni Excellence Award was presented to Rajkumar Sanajaoba Singh, a Philosophy major from the Class of 1996, for his outstanding achievements and contributions.
Speaker of the TSAL series, Colo Mero, director of Life Ministries, emphasized the importance of honoring living legacies, highlighting Rev. Dr. Tuisem A. Shishak’s significant contributions to the college.
Mero commended PCC for recognizing Rev. Dr. Shishak’s impact, urging society to celebrate individuals for how they live rather than waiting until they pass away. He also called for a transformative approach to education, emphasizing the need for a shift from merely focusing on grades to preparing students for a greater purpose.
Highlighting a concerning trend, Mero pointed out that too many graduates today are highly educated but remain unemployable. “Degrees without direction. Certificates without competence,” he said, pointing to the gap between academic qualifications and the skills needed for success in the real world.
He expressed particular concern for young people within the Naga community, who, in many cases, pursue education without clear career goals, obtaining any qualification and taking on any role without a sense of purpose.
Mero further underscored that “Skills are now more valuable than degrees. Mentioning that traditional focus on academic credentials no longer guarantees success, he called for a shift towards an education system that prioritizes practical skills, ethical leadership, and the development of a strong sense of purpose.