Sensitisation and interactive talk on “Opportunities for Skilling & Employment: Shifting Paradigms on Employment and Job Opportunities” was organised by Department of English, Meriema Campus, Nagaland University.
Kohima, May 19 (MExN): A sensitisation and interactive talk on “Opportunities for Skilling & Employment: Shifting Paradigms on Employment and Job Opportunities” was organised by the Department of English, Meriema Campus, Nagaland University, bringing together students, academicians, and professionals to address the growing challenge of educated unemployment in the state.
The session, facilitated by the Nagaland Skill and Entrepreneurship Development Mission (NSEDM), underscored that industries today increasingly seek candidates with practical exposure and specialised skills, while conventional government vacancies remain severely limited.
Addressing the gathering, Meripeni Ngullie, Project Lead, NSEDM, highlighted the widening mismatch between the number of graduates produced annually and available government jobs. Drawing from recent recruitment trends, she noted that while thousands compete for a handful of government positions, skill-based economies demand real-world experience. Comparing a degree certificate to a “passport,” she described skills as the “visa” required for workforce mobility and opportunity access.
Delivering the welcome note, Dr Lemtila Alinger, Assistant Professor and Convener, Department of English, Nagaland University, pointed to the growing concern of educated unemployment and the confusion students face while navigating career choices amid intense competition. She noted that while placement initiatives have gained impetus under the National Education Policy (NEP), there remains an urgent need for platforms exposing students to alternative career pathways.
Prof MAJ Khan, Head, Department of English, said students today stand at a critical juncture as they transition into the professional world, adding that while certificates and degrees remain important, the future will depend on practical skills, adaptability, and the ability to sustain oneself in a rapidly changing economy. He encouraged students to prepare for self-employment and entrepreneurship.
Faculty members also stressed the importance of creativity, innovation, and skill acquisition in the age of Artificial Intelligence, noting that those without relevant skills may eventually face a new form of exclusion regardless of academic qualifications.
The programme also featured real-life experiences shared by NSEDM officials. Imtisunup Longchar, Entrepreneurship Development Consultant; Bendrenangla Jamir, Monitoring, Evaluation, Placement and Grievances Redressal Associate; and Nukholo Swuro, Mission & Training Coordinator, spoke on pursuing unconventional pathways, the growing dignity of private sector employment, and emerging career opportunities beyond government jobs. Students were encouraged to actively pursue internships, entrepreneurship, and experiential learning rather than waiting solely for conventional career pathways.
