1982 Students Graduate from St Aloysius College during Ninth Graduation Ceremony
1982 Students Graduate from St Aloysius College (Autonomous) during Graduation Ceremony, with Pride and Dignity, held on Saturday, 1 June 2019 at Loyola Hall, St Aloysius PUC Campus.
Mangaluru : “Graduation is only a concept. In real life every day you graduate. Graduation is a process that goes on until the last day of your life. If you can grasp that, you’ll make a difference” had said Arie Pencovici. A graduation ceremony is a pageant celebrating the transition from student to graduate and marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in their life. 1982 graduates belonging to various courses namely- B Sc, BCA, Ba, B Com, BBM, MBA, MCA, M Sc, PGDBM, PGDHRM, PGDCA , all dressed to thrill, girls in their white, while Boys in black and white, with graduation, who were about to receive their certificate and medal were all beaming with smile and pride as they were ready to enter the hall for the big celebrations, amidst their teachers, parents and college-mates.
These 1982 graduates resemble that of a Star-who have now graduated with pride and dignity, but, full of gratefulness. However, this journey brought about many challenges, like decisions to be made and feelings to be nurtured. And today, these graduates celebrate their achievement, who have committed to and succeeded in completing one of the most challenging modes of studying. They have all brought immense joy to their Alma mater, and most of all, to their teachers and especially, their parents. Congratulations, Graduates!
The Graduation Ceremony began with invoking God’s blessings through a prayer song by College Choir, followed by declaration of Convocation Open by Rev Dr Stanislaus D’souza SJ- Provincial, Karnataka Jesuit Province & President of Mangalore Jesuit Educational Society. The welcome address was delivered by Fr Praveen Martis SJ, the Principal of St Aloysius College, Mangaluru. Dr A M Narahari-Registrar of SAC submitted the list of graduates and rank Holders to the Provincial. “He that imposes an oath makes it, not he that for convenience take it”- and it was the honor for Rev Fr Dionysius Vas SJ-Rector of St Aloysius Institutions to convey the oath to 1982 graduates, who all repeated after him raising their right hand forward, with pride, dignity, with gratefulness, and recapitulated it, committing themselves to their respective noble professions, during which the College Anthem was sung by the College Choir. Introduction of the chief guest was done by the Compere of the Convocation Ms Rowena K- faculty in Dept of English at SAC.
A ship is safe in a harbor. But it is not designed to be in the harbor. Rev. Dr Thomas C Mathew, Former Vice Chancellor, Christ (Deemed-to-be-University), Bengaluru was invited as the Chief Guest and delivered the Graduation Day Address. In his Convocation address, Rev Dr Thomas Mathew said, “Today, you Aloysians will cross the portals of this institution one last time to the wider and less protective world outside -a world you belong to, and to the world to which your Alma Mater, your parents and well wishers prepared for you. What kind of world invites you today? I wish to share my reflections on the world you will be part of based on the research by various organizations across the world. In 2107, a book was published by the Directors of McKinsey Global Institute based on their long study, titled, “No Ordinary Disruption: The Four global Forces Breaking All the Trends”.
“The Book presents four major disruptors present the world is witnessing, 1) The Age of Urbanization, 2) Accelerating Technological Changes, 3) Changes of an Ageing World, 4) Greater Global Connections. Today you are graduating into not a brave new world but a disruptive world shaped by these four disruptors. This disruption is rapidly creating skill gaps which we need to bridge through a continuous process of learning. Beyond skills, it is important to nurture the values of integrity and democracy so that life becomes meaningful. Let me quote Babu Paul IAS who rose to the position of Chief Secretary who in his prerecorded futural speech three years ago before his death said, “Have Gratitude to all those who have done good to you and forget all those to whom you have done good; Always be a student, be a life long learner; Always support someone for their education, till your death. May the flame of human values and abilities shine bright in you and give light to others” added Dr Fr Mathew.
Addressing the gathering Rev. Dr Stanislaus D’Souza, SJ, elucidated that behind the success of every student there are a lot of people involved. Education is a boon; a passport for an individual student towards the future and on the other hand a nation’s health and wealth. It is the most powerful mechanism to transform the country and so developing countries invest on education. He shed light on the 4 essential E’s – Expansion, Equity, Excellence and Employability. He advised graduates to continue to be an advertisement to the college. He explained what is life in three Kannada words ‘Smriti’, Vismriti’ and ‘Marusmriti’ which translate as ‘Memory’, ‘Forgetfulness’ and ‘Remembrance’.
The Rector Rev. Fr Dionysius Vaz, SJ, conveyed to the graduates, “Education is a journey within and a journey without. Go into the world with the stamp of being an Aloysian enriched with academic excellence, character formation and social concern.Remember that giving to others is a gift you give to yourself. Give joy to others to experience joy within. Uplift the status of others and your own status will ascend. Discover yourselves, become great leaders and give others joy.” India’s former President Late APJ Abdul Kalam once said, “Dreams is not what you see in sleep, but is the thing which doesn’t let you sleep”- now it was time to honor all the graduates with a medal and graduation certificate – while the names of graduates were read by the faculties of each department.
It was a time of celebration where students were lauded for the efforts they put in to obtain their degrees. A total of 1982 graduates received their degree certificates, medals and awards; 1101 UG, 756 PG and 125 Diploma graduates. Neighbours envy- Owners’ pride! An enviable bevy of exceptional individuals who have made excellence their habit were presented with the Meritorious Awards. A bevy of rank holders were also honored on the occasion. Following the presentation of mementos to the dignitaries on the dais, the vote of thanks was proposed by Harsha Paul, Convener of the Ninth Graduation Day programme, and Ms. Rowena K, Department of English compered the programme.
The motto of the college, “Lucet et Ardet” which means “shine to enkindle” has inspired countless students to become men and women for and with others, thus bring light and joy into the lives of people. Thousands of students who have passed through the portals of this institution have rendered outstanding service to humankind not only in India but across the globe. The Institution is proud of their alumni/ae who have turned into agents of radical social change.
In conclusion, to all of you 1982 graduates, as you prepare to launch into the real world beyond college, Team Mangalorean takes a moment to congratulate each and every one of you. ” Your beliefs become your thoughts, Your thoughts become your words, Your words become your actions, Your actions become your habits, Your habits become your values, Your values become your destiny.”, so go and move into the society and follow these words of Mahatma Gandhi, and be good professionals in your respected fields and serve the patients with dedication and sincerity and bring joy and smiles on their faces. Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience and the passion to reach for the stars to challenge the world. Hope your dreams take you to the corners of your smiles, to the highest of your hopes, to the windows of your opportunities, and to the most special places your heart has ever known”- Congratulations, Graduates and Success galore!