Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (RD) 

Mangalore, Feb 3: “Nursing profession has created an excellent opportunity all over the world up to the year 2011 as per the statistics made by the World Health Organization (WHO) in a recent study” remarked. BN Muninaranappa, the Nurse Registrar of Karnataka State Nursing Council.  

He was speaking on the occasion of the maiden graduation ceremony, lamp lighting and pledging ceremony of the new batch of students of St Ann's Group of Institutions at Mulky, located at the outskirts of city, on Friday, January 25.  He stressed the need of qualified professionals in the health care sector; since it has given a boost to economy with professional approach and commercial status.

 Moreover, over one million nurses are required in United States (US) and around 12 lacs nurses in Canada in 3 years.  Indian economy has been tremendously improved because of IT boom and the nursing personnel from India have a wide scope globally, he emphasized on bright future of Indian nurses abroad. 

Sr Irene Jacintha D'Souza, delegation superior from Aachen, Germany was the guest of honour, said “nursing profession has been the noblest ever and stressed on the new generation to be more service oriented and keep up the spirit of late Florence Nightingale.” 

Oliven Costa, principal of St Ann's School of Nursing, welcomed the gathering.  Sr Lucy Rodrigues, principal of St Ann's College of Nursing, presented the progress report of the Institutions. Sr Loredana Korah, director of Nursing Education and Post Graduate studies, St Ann's Group of Institutions, Mulki, administered the oath for the new batch of nursing students (5th batch of GNM and 4th batch of B Sc) 

Eric C Lobo, the chairman and managing director of the Trust of Lobo Teachers Foundation®, in his presidential address, said that the Trust had been formed by the teachers to impart professional education to the rural communities.  He claimed that the institution has shown that quality education is also possible in small towns. This has provided good job opportunities for the rural people, which in turn would improve their quality of life. He also said that the need for paramedical staff has been felt important nowadays and ample opportunities are coming on their way. 

Lucy Lobo and Lily Lobo, founder trustees of Lobo Teachers Foundation, were present on this occasion. 

Reshma Mallya, coordinator of paramedical courses was also present on the occasion.  Suprabha Harish, lecturer of paramedical sciences, proposed vote of thanks. 

Sr Irene presented the mementoes to meritorious students.  Best outgoing student award for 2003 GNM was presented to Noby Joseph and 2004 GNM was awarded to Antony Coelho. These awards were instituted in memory of late Kevin Prakash D'Souza, accounts manager of St Ann's Group of Institutions, who passed away in a tragic accident in the city, few years ago. 

Best outgoing student of paramedical sciences was awarded to Anil Valerian D'Souza.  Eric C Lobo, chairman of Lobo Teachers Foundation, also felicitated well wishers of the Institutions.   

Reema Lobo, lecturer of bio-technology and Ganesh, assistant lecturer of St Ann’s Nursing College, compered the programme