Colo Mero, Director of Life Ministries.
Chümoukedima, March 22 (MExN): Patkai Christian College (Autonomous) hosted its Annual Tuisem A Shishak Lecture (TSAL 2025) on March 22.
The speaker, Colo Mero, Director of Life Ministries emphasised the importance of honouring living legacies, highlighting Rev Dr Tuisem A Shishak’s significant contributions to the college. Mero commended PCC for recognizing Rev Dr Shishak’s impact while he is still present, urging society to celebrate individuals for how they live rather than waiting until they pass away, stated an update received here.
In his address, the speaker called for a transformative approach to education, emphasising the need for a shift from merely focusing on grades to preparing students for a greater purpose. “Let our education be more than grades. Let it be preparation for purpose,” Mero urged, stressing the importance of building strong foundations, teachers as disciple-makers and equipping students for ethical leadership.
Highlighting a concerning trend, he 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.
This vague approach, he cautioned, is failing the youth. Highlighting the growing concern about unemployable graduates, the speaker urged educational institutions to integrate vocational skills, entrepreneurship, and real-world applications into learning.
The speaker underscored that “Skills are now more valuable than degrees.” The traditional focus on academic credentials no longer guarantees success, and he called for a shift towards an education system that prioritizes practical skills, ethical leadership, and the development of a strong sense of purpose.
In closing, the speaker urged educators, community leaders, and policymakers to collaborate on creating an education system that not only imparts knowledge but also equips students with the tools to navigate an ever-changing world with competence, clarity and moral integrity.
The event also featured the presentation of the ‘Annual Alumni Excellence Award,’ which was presented by Dr TA Shishak, Principal Emeritus of PCC, alongside Neikhalo Sono, President, 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.
