By Our Special Correspondent
MAWKYRWAT, Sep 3: The first college of Mawkyrwat area, Sngap Syiem College observed its Graduation Day for graduates of 2023 on Friday. Established in 1985 the college located in Mawkyrwat, South West Khasi Hills is named after Sngap Sing Syiemlieh, a renowned freedom fighter and tribal chief of Hima Maharam during the British era.
The college offers higher secondary and degree courses in Arts, Commerce and Science streams. It is also one of the colleges that has implemented the New Education Policy 2020. The Principal, KK Nongsiej says, “We are implementing the NEP because we need to think of the future of students. We cannot leave them hanging in the balance because of our indecision.”
Funded under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan, a scheme to upscale colleges across the country, the college has come up with a Science Block to accommodate BSc students for 2022-23. The College has been offering the Commerce stream since 2017. In an innovative move the staff has contributed towards the construction of a multi-purpose hall costing Rs 80 lakh. With a teaching staff of 47 and non-teaching staff of 16, the college currently has 833 students.
The principal informed that 60% of the students are girls and there are hostel facilities for about 75 students. On Friday, the parents of students were present in full strength.
Addressing the graduating students, Chief Secretary DP Wahlang who was also the chief guest reminded them that graduating is only the beginning of the journey.
“Success is not final and failure is not fatal. Now is the starting point for you to up skill yourselves and push the boundaries and conquer new frontiers. Never shy away from taking risks,” Wahlang said adding that 90% of those involved in building the lunar vehicle Chandrayaan were from institutions from far-flung areas and not from the IITs and IIMs. He reminded the gathering that IITians go to the Silicon Valley (USA) but non-IITians go to the moon.
Addressing the neighbouring colleges that had congregated at Sngap Syiem College for the Youth Festival organised in collaboration with Meghalaya AIDS Control Society (MACS), Wahlang reminded them that a work-life balance is integral to a healthy human existence.
He urged the students to take part in co-curricular activities and hone their talents. Wahlang told the students that what they need to learn early in life the basics of financial management.
“When you start working, make a 20:80 plan which is to save 20% and spend 80% of the salary. As you grow in your work life, the savings should go up and by the time you are about to retire the ratio should be 80:20 which means saving 80% of the salary and spending 20% only,” he added.
Wahlang cautioned the students from spending too much time with their mobile phones. “I am aware that some of you spend 7-8 hours on your mobile phones. That’s a deadly poison and will take you nowhere. Be pro-active and invest your youthful energy in something productive,” Wahlang concluded.
Others who spoke on the occasion included South West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner T Lyngwa and Principal KK Nongsiej who welcomed the parents and guests at the Graduation Ceremony. Students who excelled in different subjects were felicitated on that day.
The graduation ceremony was followed by the two-day Youth Festival which included a quiz programme, cultural performances and runs.