Media Release

Bengaluru, Jul 3: The Annual Convocation and College Day of the Institute of Allied Health Sciences, St John’s Medical College, Bengaluru was held at 2:30 pm on Wednesday, July 3.

Dr Nirmala Buggi, chief health officer (Clinical), BBMP was the chief guest. Rev Duming Dias, Bishop of Karwar, presided over the function.

Amongst the AHS students, the pass percentage was 94% with 31 first classes and 15 distinctions. The pass percentage was 97% in BPT with one distinction and 10 first class. In MPT, it was 100% pass with 8 first class and in MHA, it was 100% pass rate with nine first class and 12 distinctions. As many as 19 Bachelors’ students secured university ranks. Joshitha Angeline secured first, and Yashwanth second in Anesthesia technology, Shivangi Chaudhary secured first and Joshna Jos second in RTT in the final year. Shivangi Choudhary came first in BSc RTT and Aleena Francis came first in BSC PT overall in the university. Five MSc MLT students got university ranks with Feba Joy standing second. Rynsha D'Souza, Divya Rastogi and Sandra got university ranks in MPT and Jadeja Karishmaba, Persis Bomi and Parmar Thomas got ranks in MHA.

Established in 1963, St John’s Medical College was set up with a mission to train health care personnel to serve in rural and underserved areas of India. From inception, nearly 70% of all its graduates and several postgraduates have provided medical services in rural and underserved areas of the country. The college is supported by a state-of-the-art 1600 bedded hospital and over 100 critical care beds, which is NABL & NABH accredited, with an average of 2500 daily outpatients and 150 daily inpatient admissions, and over 600 doctors serving in the institution. It is rated as one of the best in the city and in the state, with patients seeking medical help from as far as West Bengal, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and international patients from neighboring countries Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh among others. Every year, international students mainly from Europe, USA, Middle East & Africa come to St John’s as observers for elective postings or to work in the Institute’s research labs. Last year, nearly 550 students did electives or trained in the college and hospital. The institute is one of the 12 NMC Nodal Centers across India to train faculty in basic and advanced medical education from various medical colleges across South India.

Fr Jesudoss Rajamanickam, director of St John’s National Academy of Health Sciences welcomed the dignitaries and the gathering. He congratulated the graduates and postgraduates on this significant achievement. He stressed that they should spend their lifetime serving with integrity, excellence, and empathy. He reminded them to always keep in mind the oath that they took when they joined the institution to serve the underprivileged and the poorest of poor in rural areas. There may be external pressures and influences that may come as a deterrent to this promise, but the graduates were encouraged by him to overcome these keeping in mind the values imparted at their alma mater.

The dean of St John’s Medical College, Dr George D’Souza highlighted the various accomplishments of the students, faculty, and staff of the institution and the various advanced teaching and research initiatives that have been implemented at the institution.

The graduates and postgraduates were presented their certificates and various awards won for various curricular and extracurricular activities.

The chief guest Dr Nirmala Buggi, in her address to the graduates and awardees, said that they should feel honored to be part of St John’s family, given that the institution is dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge. "With a sincere prayer in the morning, a smile on your face, a commitment to keep up the noble cause, and let the light live through the good work being undertaken through your parents blessings," she said adding that the graduates would excel in all they do in their career.

Rev Duming Dias, in his presidential address, said that the graduates should dream big, and that the same needs dedication to ensure that doors to the future are unlocked. He quoted Winston Churchill – Never give up, of remains important to maintain perseverance to achieve success.

The programme ended with a vote of thanks.