Dignitaries along with faculty and students of SJU during the culmination of the 7th Ignite Fest 2026 in Chümoukedima on April 16.
Chümoukedima, April 16 (MExN): St Joseph University (SJU), Ikishe Model Village, Chümoukedima, organised the 7th Ignite Fest 2026 on April 15 and 16 under the theme “Igniting Innovation & Excellence”, drawing enthusiastic participation from students across departments.
The two-day fest, organised by the Department of Management Association, served as a platform to promote talent, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit among students.
The inaugural programme was graced by V Khekato Awomi, State President of BJYM Nagaland and councillor of Dimapur Municipal Council, as the chief guest. In his address, he encouraged youth to take initiative and embrace leadership roles with confidence and purpose.
Stating that young people should not be viewed as inexperienced but as a force of innovation and determination, he urged them to break stereotypes and actively participate in shaping the future.
“Today is my turn, tomorrow is yours. This is your moment,” he said, calling on students to step forward without hesitation.
Emphasising responsibility and purposeful leadership, Awomi encouraged students to speak up and seize opportunities. Referring to Balendra Shah as an example, he highlighted how youth can challenge conventional norms and demonstrate leadership through vision and action.
The event also featured sessions by guest speakers Arinjay Jain, proprietor of Royaloak Dimapur, and Chumroba J Sangtam, founder of Key Stone Coaching Institute. Jain stressed the importance of innovation, excellence and self-reliance, urging students to focus on continuous self-improvement and skill development.
He advised students not to rely solely on government jobs and to explore diverse career opportunities, underlining that a strong foundation of skills and knowledge enables success in any field.
The fest featured a range of academic and extracurricular competitions, including business plan, mock interview, business quiz, extempore, CEO challenge, debate and reel-making contests. Cultural events such as Ignite Voice, dance competition, cosplay, Mad Ads, food challenge, arm wrestling, e-sports and the Mr and Miss Ignite contest added vibrancy to the programme.
Students participated enthusiastically, showcasing creativity, confidence and competitive spirit. The fest provided a platform for experiential learning, leadership development and engagement beyond the classroom.
The event concluded on a high note, reinforcing the university’s commitment to fostering innovation, excellence and holistic development among students.
