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, 2026.
Trustee of the Mayangnokcha Award Trust, Dr Kilangwabang Pongener, in his address, stressed the need for education to evolve with changing times, particularly in an era marked by artificial intelligence, automation, robotics and other emerging technologies.
He said education should go beyond preparing students for examinations and equip them with the ability to adapt, think critically, communicate effectively, solve problems and engage in continuous learning.
Advising students to embrace technological advancements while retaining their human values, he encouraged them to use artificial intelligence as a tool without allowing it to replace independent thinking, creativity, empathy and ethical judgement. He urged students not to fear failure or a changing world but to prepare themselves to contribute meaningful solutions to society.
Highlighting the vision behind the establishment of the Mayangnokcha Award Trust in the early 1990s, he said a group of young people came together with the shared objective of promoting academic excellence and strengthening the education system in Nagaland, inspired by the vision and contributions of Mayangnokcha, who dedicated his life to educating the Nagas. The awards, instituted in 1994, aimed to encourage positive competitiveness and recognise academic achievements.
Referring to Nelson Mandela’s statement that education is the most powerful weapon to change the world, he cited Singapore as an example of how investment in education could contribute to national development and economic growth. He further informed that the Trust’s initiatives extended beyond award presentations to include the publication of biographies, academic programmes and a school assessment survey conducted between 2009 and 2011 with the support of the State Government. The survey helped schools identify areas for improvement and encouraged healthy competition among institutions.
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 contributions of parents, teachers and educational institutions in shaping their success.
He emphasised that academic excellence should not be measured merely by high marks but should serve as a foundation for greater achievements in life. True excellence, he said, involved not only what a person knows but also how that knowledge is understood and applied for the benefit of society.
Highlighting the demands of an increasingly competitive world, Walling said knowledge, competence and discipline, supported by hard work and perseverance, were essential for success. He encouraged students to practice healthy emulation rather than unhealthy competition, stressing that the focus should be on self-improvement rather than jealousy or pulling others down.
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Walling further highlighted four dimensions of knowledge-acquired, intellectual, revealed and experiential and stressed that these must be strengthened by integrity. While knowledge provides the ability to do things, he said, integrity guides individuals in deciding what ought to be done.
Emphasising the importance of honesty, humility, self-discipline, courage, kindness, perseverance and responsibility, he urged students to remain humble in success, learn from failures and acknowledge those who contributed to their achievements. He concluded by reminding students that while academic distinction was valuable, moral distinction and integrity were indispensable for building lasting excellence and becoming responsible members of society.
The ceremony recognised students for their outstanding academic achievements, with seven awards presented under different categories, including overall academic excellence and subject-specific distinctions.
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, Chumoukedima.
The MAT-Lenjeter Award for the subject topper in Agriculture, instituted by Lenjeter, an Ao magazine, was conferred on Neilhou Belho of Northfield, Khikha.
The programme featured an invocation by Pastor Roland Ngullie of Senjum Baptist Church, Dimapur, and a presentation titled “The Educationist” by the Youth Ministry of Indisen Baptist Arogo, Dimapur. Students of St. John Higher Secondary Residential School also presented a special performance. The ceremony concluded with a prayer of blessing by Pastor Toshi Imchen of St. John Higher Secondary Residential School.
