Rons Bantwal
Mumbai, May 30: St John Technical and Educational Campus held its 11th annual graduation day ceremony on May 27 for the passed-out batch of the academic year 2021-2022 in the main auditorium of the engineering college.
Dr V G Gaikar, the former first vice chancellor of BATU, Lonere, honoured the ceremony with his presence as the chief guest.
The ceremony started with the academic procession in which the dignitaries namely, chief guest, Dr G V Gaikar, the former first vice chancellor of BATU- Lonere and Ex-NPCIL Ltd. Mumbai, Albert W D'Souza, hon’ble chairman, Aldel Education Trust, Elvina D'Souza, hon’ble secretary, Elaine D'Souza Buthello, treasurer, Aldridge D’Souza, member, Dr Savita Tauro, deputy campus director, St John Technical & Educational Campus and principal, St John Institute of Pharmacy and Research, Dr G V Mulgund, principal, St John College of Engineering and Management and Dr Brajabandhu Das, principal, St John College of Humanities and Sciences were ushered to the accompaniment of the college band into the main auditorium.
Ahead in the ceremony, the universal prayer for peace was played followed by the lighting of the lamp along with Saraswati Vandana playing in the background. This was followed by a short video of the address of the Hon’ble chairman of AICTE prof Anil D Sahastrabuddhe and the hon’ble vice-chancellor of University of Mumbai, prof D T Shirke so as to inspire the graduands. Thereafter, Albert W D’Souza addressed the gathering and welcomed the chief guest. He congratulated and motivated the graduands to keep virtues and ethics so as to contribute in nation-building. He also spoke about making best use of time, energy and money that come in varied proportions in different phases of life.
Then after the chief guest Dr V G Gaikar addressed the gathering. In his speech, he stressed upon aspects such as lifelong learning required for succeeding in personal as well as professional life. He also emphasized on the need to be courageous and to collaborate and share the expertise in order to be successful in future endeavours.
A total of 76 (Pharmacy) 239 (Humanities and Sciences), and 415 (Engineering and MMS) graduates were present for the convocation ceremony held in two sessions. All the graduands were conferred degree certificates in their respective disciplines at the hands of the dignitaries present on the dais. The programme was telecasted in the MMS Auditorium for the parents’ community. A large number of parents/guardians were present with great enthusiasm. Parents attending the ceremony, expressed joyful gratitude to the faculty and the management in moulding their wards as professionals in the course of study in our Institutions. Refreshments were provided to all the attendees during the ceremony. Department-wise photo-session was arranged at the end of the program in which the students took part with great zeal.
Additionally, Bank of Baroda rewarded cash prize worth Rs. 31,000/- each to three engineering students for their excellence in academics and sports. The cheques were awarded at the hands of Dinesh Thakur, chief manager and branch head of Palghar Branch.
All the principals, HoDs of the respective colleges/departments, teaching and non-teaching staff took the sincere efforts to make the ceremony a grand success. Vrushali Gokhale, Dr Pandharinath Ghonge and Shreeshail Heggond and their team structured the programme and ensured its smooth execution. Asst prof Ekta Thakur and Beatrice Lobo graciously compered the ceremony. General Manager of the Campus Satheesh Shetty and HR Manager Sudheer Babu were also present during the occasion.
Dr Savita Tauro and Dr G V Mulgund, proposed the vote of thanks in the respective sessions. The graduands were advised to be ‘Brand Ambassadors’ for St. John Technical and Educational Campus and carry this brand with dignity and respect. The ceremony concluded with the National Anthem.