“Pathway 2023: Bridging the Gap” (a Finishing School programme for graduating students) was jointly organised and conducted by the Student Support & Progression Cell and the Career Counselling & Placement Cell at the Mualpui campus between the 1st - 3rd May 2023.
Coined by Mrs. Hmingpuii Poonte, the outgoing Principal of Government Aizawl College, the Pathway programme is designed to equip students with the skills necessary to bridge the gap between academic rigour and real-world challenges. The graduating class of 2023 is a uniquely challenged batch, having spent their first 4 out of 6 semesters in remote Zoom classes, with ever-changing online exam rules and other experiences that forced them to adapt continuously. This left an indelible mark not only on their marksheets but also on their worldview and personality. Being the first of what is envisioned to be an annual event, the organisers of Pathway 2023 invited as many diverse speakers as possible in an attempt to gauge the actual felt needs of the students. Due to their unprecedented numbers, the outgoing students had to be split into groups as the Conference Hall could not accommodate all of them.
On the 1st May ’23 (Monday), the forenoon session’s theme was ‘Motivation’ which had renowned entrepreneur Mr. Vanneihtluanga, Mrs. Elvina Lalmuanpuii Leivon, IA&AS, Deputy Accountant General (Admin & Accounts), Mizoram, Mr. S. Malsawmtluanga (Mama), eminent sportsperson, and Mrs. Rebecca Lalthanpuii, founder of BECKYZOTE®, speaking to student-groups of History & Political Science, Commerce & Economics, Education & Sociology, and English, Hindi & Mizo Departments respectively. The afternoon session had two choices of themes - ‘Pursuing Further Studies’ and ‘Getting Ready for Competitive Examinations’ with Dr. Lallianchhunga, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Mizoram University, and Dr. Saithantluangi Zote, MIS, IPRO, Government of Mizoram, as the respective resource persons. Students were free to attend this and subsequent sessions as per their preference.
On the 2nd May ’23 (Tuesday), the forenoon session’s theme was ‘Life Skills and Resilience’ with Dr. B. Lalzarliana, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Mizoram University and Dr. Grace Lalkhawngaihi, former Head of Department, Department of Psychology, St. Xavier’s College, as the resource persons. The afternoon was spent learning about ‘Skill Development’ from Mrs. Jordanthangi, Mr. Zothankhuma and Mr. Gaurav Saxena who represent the Labour, Employment, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (LESDE) Department, Government of Mizoram.
On the 3rd May ’23 (Wednesday), Mrs. Carolyn Rinthanpuii Fanai, Circle Education Officer, School Education Department, Government of Mizoram and Mr. Aris Vanneihtluanga, AM Hotel Management & Consultancy, interacted with the students on the themes of ‘Soft Skills’ and ‘Careers in Hospitality Industry’ respectively. In the afternoon, the first ever Campus Placement programme of the College was organised in collaboration with Zothan AutoWorks and ICICI Prudential Life Insurance. More than 80 students benefitted from this placement drive initiated by the newly formed Career Counselling & Placement Cell. The Student Support & Progression Cell also conducted an alumni membership drive throughout the Pathway 2023 programme.
