Ampati, January 11: the Students of Ampati Degree College, Ampati Sub-Divisional Higher Secondary School and Ampati Government Higher Secondary School were felicitated at the closing ceremony of a Career Readiness and Life Skills Programme under the LEAP Initiative held at Ampati recently. The programme was sponsored by the Chief Minister’s Career Guidance and Counselling Scheme and implemented by the office of the Deputy Commissioner, South West Garo Hills, Ampati.
Students that took part in this initiative were taken through modules that helped them groom their personality, build their confidence, improve their interpersonal skills and work on all-round transformation and preparedness for any career path of their choice. It may be mentioned that the LEAP Meghalaya initiative features many interventions that build capacities for young people across campus programmes, youth camps, career camps and teacher training programmes for emerging teachers.Self-assessments and surveys conducted with the students during the programme have revealed encouraging trends. Since the programme revolved around key themes relevant to our youth, some very strong insights came to the fore in terms of confidence, self-affirmation, career goals, the value of education and responsible citizenship.
The participants displayed a marked increase in their confidence levels which was measured at a 71% increase. Their perception of career choices too had changed since the programme began where the respondents indicated their clarity by a 79% increase. When it came to their interpersonal skills, the students felt an 86% growth in their ability to interact and communicate among their peers in a more mature and capable manner.
While expressing his satisfaction over the transformation evident in the students, South West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Cyril V.D. Diengdoh, voiced his gratitude to the principals of the three institutions for implementing the Campus Career Readiness Programme and encouraging students to participate in the one of a kind endeavour. “Change starts from within and learning is no exception to this rule. You must strive to continue learning so that you may grow, expand your thinking and live a wholesome life”, he said and implored the students to respect learning and knowledge and the new-found skills that they had picked up during the programme.
“Each one of you has hidden talents and it is up to you to discover that for yourself and no matter which career path you choose, make it a point that it resonates with your true calling in life. This will enable and empower you to excel in whatever you choose to do in life and that is the very essence of a successful and productive life”, he told the students.
Mr. Diengdoh also assured the youth that similar programmes to build capacities among the youth would be brought to the district and that the Government of Meghalaya was keen on pursuing such opportunities for the youth. He also expressed his gratitude to Avenues, the training partners in the initiative and expressed hope that the students would rise above their station and dream fearlessly.
Principal, Ampati Degree College, Bricktone N Sangma, in his welcome note thanked Avenues for its commitment and dedication towards the cause of the youth. He also pointed out that such programmes were rare, few and far between and if the lessons were seriously imbibed, students would benefit a great deal. He also shared instances where he would attend the sessions so that he too could learn. He was especially proud of the fact that his students now had the courage and the confidence to stand in front of a crowd and deliver a speech in the presence of the guests.
Mr. Mark Stone Laitflang, the Managing Director, Avenues highlighted the various interventions being conducted across the State while lauding the students for successfully completing the ten-day curriculum and choosing to engage with the trainers in acquiring career skills for life and work. “Every intervention under the LEAP Initiative has been designed to impart career readiness skills to young adults like yourselves and will go a long way in preparing you for a successful and fulfilling life both at work as well as in your personal lives”, he said.
The valedictory function was also interspersed with inspiring performances, testimonials and songs by the students from the three institutions. Capping the event was an inspiring flash song titled “We are the world” performed by the large gathering of youth present. Certificates of participation were distributed by the Deputy Commissioner to the participating students of Classes 11, 12 and undergraduates of the second, fourth and sixth semesters of the three institutions.
It may be mentioned that the LEAP Meghalaya Initiative was recently launched at a state ceremony held at Tura Government College, Tura on December 15, 2017 by Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma. The various programmes connect the youth of the state with Life Skills, Employability, Aspirations and Purpose and is a first of its kind initiative taken up by a state government. Group Avenues is Meghalaya’s leading indigenous transformation and capacity building organization and the official training partner for the LEAP Meghalaya Initiative.
