Media Release
Mangaluru, Mar 18: St Aloysius (Deemed to be University) celebrated its 146th Annual Day on March 17 at the university campus. The theme for this year’s celebration, ‘Shalom: Enkindling Peace, Inspiring Unity,’ reflected the institution’s commitment to fostering harmony, unity, and the holistic development of students.
John Sunil, an alumnus and a public-listed healthcare management leader based in the Middle East, graced the occasion as the chief guest. In his address, he emphasized the importance of leadership, innovation, and social responsibility, urging students to pursue excellence while remaining rooted in values. Reflecting on his journey, he shared that he was not a topper, highlighting that education is not merely about marks but about values, discipline, and critical thinking developed during one’s formative years. He credited his teachers, especially Prof B S Ramman and Prof Narahari, for broadening his intellectual horizons beyond the classroom.
Recalling his time at St Aloysius, he noted that college life builds lifelong bonds through academics, sports, and cultural activities. He also mentioned that his 1986 batch sponsored 300 trees on campus as a gesture of gratitude, symbolizing responsibility and legacy. Speaking about his professional journey, he highlighted the importance of learning from failures and building a career through perseverance. Recognized among the top 25 executives by Forbes in 2025, he stated that success comes through dedication, discipline, faith, and the support of others.
Encouraging students to explore entrepreneurship he, pointed to the vast opportunities in artificial intelligence, digital innovation, and global connectivity. He observed that India is witnessing rapid entrepreneurial growth, enabling young people to create meaningful impact early in life. He concluded by noting that entrepreneurship is not about glamour, but about responsibility, resilience, and continuous learning. He advised students to build strong relationships, remain patient, and stay grounded in values.
Fr Melwin Joseph Pinto, SJ, pro chancellor and rector, in his presidential address, appreciated the chief guest for not limiting his speech to achievements alone, but for candidly acknowledging his failures. He remarked that this reflects deep humility and a strong sense of responsibility. He noted that such honesty encourages students to understand that growth often comes from overcoming failures—by piecing together broken moments and beginning again with resilience, not just once, but many times.
He also highlighted the Annual Day theme, ‘Shalom’ (peace), emphasizing that peace must begin in each individual’s heart. When nurtured within, it can spread outward, fostering harmony in society. He further stressed that a one-day cultural celebration of peace and unity is not sufficient; rather, these values must be practiced in daily life through gratitude—to God and to one another.
Dr Praveen Martis, SJ, vice chancellor, presented the Annual Report, outlining the university’s achievements, milestones, and initiatives over the past year. The report reflected continued excellence in academics, research, and co-curricular activities.
The event featured a grand cultural programme showcasing the talents and creativity of students, aligned with the theme of peace and unity. The prize distribution ceremony honoured students for their outstanding achievements in academics, sports, and extracurricular activities.
The programme was convened by Dr Charles V Furtado, who welcomed the gathering, while Dr Manuel Tauro introduced the chief guest. The directors of various blocks — Dr Loveena Lobo, Dr Asha Abraham, Dr Kiran Cotha SJ, Dr Aruna Kalkura, Dr Mamatha, and Claret Pereira — along with Fr Mishwas Misquith, finance officer, were present on the dais. Anson Rego, president of the Student Council, proposed the vote of thanks. During the programme, a web portal connecting alumni across the world was also launched.
The celebration witnessed enthusiastic participation from faculty, students, parents, and guests, making it a memorable and inspiring occasion that reinforced the university’s vision of nurturing responsible and value-driven individuals.
The programme was convened by Dr Charles V Furtado, who warmly welcomed the gathering, while Dr Manuel Tauro introduced the chief guest. The directors of various blocks — Dr Loveena Lobo, Dr Asha Abraham, Dr Kiran Cotha SJ, Dr Aruna Kalkura, Dr Mamatha, and Claret Pereira — along with Fr Mishwas Misquith, finance officer, were present on the dais.
Anson Rego, president of the Student Council, proposed the vote of thanks. A key highlight of the programme was the launch of a web portal aimed at connecting alumni across the world.
The formal programme was compered by Laura Emiliana Cutinha, Sancia Ruth D’Cunha, and Jeevan D’Mello, while the cultural programme was compered by Chirag Bajal, Shaina D’Souza, Amith Shenoy.