History

The setting up of Arts College, Mon, which Wangkhao Government College was then known as, was the fulfillment of a long-felt want of the people of Mon district as a whole and the entire Konyak community in particular. The cause of establishing a college was spearheaded by the then Konyak Students’ Conference (KSC)- now the Konyak Students’ Union (KSU)- through a resolution adopted in their annual conference in the late 1970s. It was indeed very encouraging to find a spontaneous response from the people who were involved in the establishment of this college. Every Konyak household voluntarily contributed an amount of   ₹2/- in the college fund raising. There came contributions from many other corners such as from the district government employees, business community and well-wishers. The residents of Mon town are no less involved in developing the college. In this context, we must remember and appreciate the magnanimity of the people of the following villages who made generous donations amounting to over ₹20,000/- each from their Naga Commission:

  1. Mon 2. Pongkong 3. Wangla   4. Shangnyu   5. Wakching   6. Wanching   7. Kongan   8. Oting   9. Lapan   10. Jaboka   11. Shangsa

We express our sincere gratitude to them for their selfless services to the college when it was most needed. This tremendous involvement of different groups and organizations was what brought about the existence of this college- a milestone in Konyak history!

The founder members of the college during its nascent days were all exceptionally responsible citizens who had shown total commitment and selfless sacrifices for the cause of the college. Led by the then Deputy Commissioner, the lovers of the cause of higher education were involved through the Board of Governors of the college.

  1. S. Pandey (the then Deputy Commissioner, Mon)
  2. Shri W. Manpong Yanlem (Retd. DIS, Founder Secretary)
  3. Shri Tingshen (present Dy. Director, School Education, Kohima)
  4. Shri Tingom (present Dy. Commissioner, Mon)
  5. C. Bal (the then ADC, Mon)
  6. Shri N.V. George (Founder Principal)
  7. Shri Tingyeih K (the then President, KSC)
  8. Shri Noke (present minister)
  9. Dr. W. Pongsing (the then Executive Secretary, KBBB, Mon Hq.)
  10. Shri Yanang

There were many others in dozens but for whose services and active cooperation the college could not have seen the light of day. The founder members made every effort to see the noble vision come to pass. Accordingly, Arts College, Mon was inaugurated by Shri Nocklem Konyak, the then Honourable Minister for HTE, Nagaland on 5th July, 1983. Subsequently, the government order of approval was issued in two months time (vide Govt. Order No HTE/ Col-Dev/10/83 dated Kohima, the 9th September, 1983). Side by side, the college also got permission from the NEHU to begin classes from the academic session 1983-84 onwards with classes up to the degree level. Thus, the classes for the first ever Arts college in Mon started in the Government High school building in the afternoons. The college formally affiliated to NEHU in the year 1986is now affiliated to the Nagaland University since 1994.

Initially, the founder members of the college had a task in their hands of running the college. While giving a name is very simple, it is also a tough job by way of naming the college in such a way that the sentiment of every citizen is honoured. Perhaps they were once again under pressure to provide an all-round development to the college. A permanent land of a respectable area was required urgently for the establishment of a college complex where an academic environment as well as suitable atmosphere among the faculty and students could exist. It was only in this context that there were certain repressed reservations by a section of leaders. The Board of Governors, therefore, approached the Mon and Chui villagers to donate land for the establishment of a permanent college complex. Fortunately, the Chui villagers responded positively to the clarion call by donating 68.389 acres of land (as per the Land Recordsand Survey Department). They, however, humbly expressed that the college be renamed as “Wangkhao College” after the name of the Chief Angh of Chui village. They also pleaded preference apropos admission in college, appointment of III and IV Grade staff and construction and supply works to be allotted to them, provided capable persons are available. Their request was honoured by the then Board of Governors. The present name of the college is in fulfillment of their wish. Finally, the “Deed of Gift” agreement was signed between His Excellency Wangkhao Angh and the individual land owners of Chui village and the DC of Mon on behalf of the Wangkhao College Managing Board on the 9th of December, 1991.

The college was shifted from the Government High School to a rented building owned by Shri. S. Yokten, Ex-MLA in 1988, and continued till the end of August 1995. It is also to be noted that Shri S. Yokten donated his building numbering ten (10) rooms rent free, for a complete one year for the college. The college establishment and the then Board of Governors expressed their gratitude for the encouragement and support during its management days.

The establishment of an Arts College in Mon Hq. was the fulfillment of the long-felt dream and aspirations of the people of Mon district. On the practical side, to provide infrastructure even to the minimum level was a paramount task that lay ahead of the Board of Governors. However, it was the spirit of oneness and the thirst for knowledge that enabled them to take up the huge task. The legislators irrespective of their party affiliations were the ones who all those years did not hesitate at all to part with a slice of their District Plan Fund, Backward Fund, etc. Their contributions were utilized in the construction of buildings, providing of electricity with a separate water source and supply to name a few. With the initiative of the District Administration and Mon Town Committee, the five wards developed a spirit of competition among them at their own expenses just to provide a road to the college. It is only because of those noble citizens that the college was provided with a dependable lifeline. An eight-room building was constructed by the department. Another three-room building was constructed out of the District Plan Fund. A library building consisting of three rooms was donated by Shri Apok Jamir, the then MP in 1996-97. Nine barrack type buildings constructed in the late eighties are now being used as residential quarters.

Today, the college boasts of a new Academic Block. It also has a soon-to-be complete Library building funded under RUSA, MHRD Govt. of India. Besides these new developments, many others are in the offing. As symbolized in the college logo- the sun peeping through the mountains over an open book- and the college motto “Lux in Tenebris”, Wangkhao Government College has indeed come a long way in being the light in the darkness.

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