Attendees during a sensitisation and interactive talk on opportunities for skilling & employment organised by the Department of English, Nagaland University, Meriema campus on May 12.
Kohima, May 13 (MExN): Comparing academic qualifications to a passport and employable skills to a “visa” for accessing opportunities in today’s job market, Meripeni Ngullie urged students to look beyond conventional career pathways and prepare for the evolving demands of the modern workforce.
Ngullie, Project Lead at the Nagaland Skill and Entrepreneurship Development Mission (NSEDM), was addressing a sensitisation and interactive talk on the theme, “Opportunities for Skilling & Employment: Shifting Paradigms on Employment and Job Opportunities” organised by the Department of English, Nagaland University, Meriema campus.
The session brought together students, faculty members, academicians, and professionals to deliberate on the changing employment landscape and the growing relevance of skills, entrepreneurship, and adaptability in an increasingly competitive economy.
Ngullie further highlighted the employment realities in Nagaland, pointing to the growing mismatch between the number of graduates produced annually and the limited vacancies available in the government sector.
Citing recent recruitment trends, she noted that while thousands compete for a small number of government posts, industries are increasingly looking for candidates with practical exposure, specialised skills, and real-world experience.
Accordingly, she encouraged students were encouraged not to spend prolonged years waiting solely for conventional employment avenues, but to actively pursue skill development, internships, entrepreneurship, and experiential learning opportunities.
Delivering the welcome address, Lemtila Alinger, Assistant Professor and Convener of the English Department, highlighted the growing challenge of educated unemployment and the confusion many students face while navigating career choices amid limited opportunities and intense competition.
She noted that while placement facilitation initiatives have gained momentum under the National Education Policy (NEP), there remains an urgent need for platforms that expose students to alternative career avenues and practical pathways.
Addressing the gathering, M A J Khan, Head of the Department, said students today stand at a critical juncture as they transition into the professional world.
While degrees and certificates remain important, he said the future would increasingly depend on practical skills, adaptability, and the ability to sustain oneself in a rapidly changing environment.
He encouraged students to broaden their outlook beyond academics and prepare themselves for self-employment, entrepreneurship, and emerging sectors.
Faculty members also stressed the importance of creativity, innovation, and skill acquisition in the age of Artificial Intelligence, encouraging students to explore opportunities beyond conventional thinking.
The programme also featured personal career journeys shared by NSEDM officials, including Imtisunup Longchar, Bendangrenla Jamir, and Nukholo Swuro, who spoke on building careers through skills, experience, and opportunities beyond traditional government employment.
The NSEDM facilitated concluded with a call for students to rethink employability, embrace innovation, and equip themselves with skills relevant to the changing demands of the workforce, informed a press release received here.
