SHILLONG, July 22: Students, numbering over 1,900 from nine campuses spread across the districts of Ri-Bhoi, North Garo Hills, West Garo Hills, West Khasi Hills and Eastern West Khasi Hills, on Friday graduated from Soft Skills and Talent Identification programmes under Aspire Meghalaya, during concurrent functions in their respective institutes.
A statement in this regard informed that ever since the programme launch in March, over 5,000 youths across the state have participated in the Soft Skills training phase of the Aspire Meghalaya programme in over 25 campuses.
“Over 65,000 youths have already participated in the first leg of Aspire this year, marking the state’s largest youth engagement programme under the Meghalaya Youth Survey, 2022,” the state further informed.
The students who graduated on Friday following the ten-day training programmes are from nine educational institutes, viz. St Joseph’s Higher Secondary School, Umden and Ri-Bhoi College, Nongpoh in Ri Bhoi; St. Thomas Higher Secondary School, Salpara and Mendipathar College in North Garo Hills; St. Dominic Savio Secondary School, Garobadha and Tura Government College in West Garo Hills; Mairang Presbyterian Science College and Khadsawphra College in Mairang, Eastern West Khasi Hills; and Sibsing Memorial Government Higher Secondary School, Nongstoin in West Khasi Hills.
The graduation programmes in the educational institutes were attended by students, faculty members, government officials, et al.
“The graduation programmes are a significant milestone for Aspire and feature the campuses’ top talents vying to be selected for a district-level talent recognition platform. Performances across various arts spaces such as singing, dancing, beatboxing and visual arts, instrumental music, body sport and storytelling marked the day. Talent Identification is a keyfocus of the programme, and top talents will be documented and connected to forward opportunities to help propel youth aspirations in the state and open up alternative careers,” a statement in this regard said.
Aspire Meghalaya, an initiative of the Sports and Youth Affairs department, seeks to empower adolescent youths and young adults with critical soft skills, life preparedness and talent recognition opportunities.
The programmes are supported by the State Education Mission Authority of Meghalaya (SEMAM) under the Education department and are implemented by AVENUES, Meghalaya-based Personal Excellence Social Enterprise. It is pertinent to note that Aspire Meghalaya is expected to impact 10,000 young adults in 60+ campuses across 12 districts of Meghalaya.
