Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Media Release
Mangaluru, Aug 1: St Aloysius (Deemed to be University), Mangaluru, celebrated its First Graduation Day 2026, marking a historic milestone in its 146-year journey.
A total of 801 students graduated, with 56 rank holders and one special prize winner were honoured during the solemn ceremony. The event was officially declared by Fr Dionysius Vaz SJ, chancellor and Provincial of Karnataka Jesuit Province, and included a solemn oath-taking led by Fr Melwin D’Cunha SJ, pro-vice chancellor. Graduates marked the occasion by turning their tassels, followed by the university choir leading the anthem.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof Dr C Raj Kumar, vice chancellor of O P Jindal Global University, Haryana, and chief guest, congratulated the graduates as pioneers of the institution’s legacy. He reminded them that 'Education is not about careers. It’s about character', stressing that knowledge must be embedded in values to become a transformative force for good. He urged the students to uphold integrity, compassion, and social responsibility while navigating an uncertain world.
Prof Miloš Lichner SJ, vice chancellor of Trnava University, Slovakia, and guest of honour, reflected on the resilience of Jesuit institutions across centuries. He emphasised that authority should be seen as responsibility, knowledge must be accompanied by humility, and leadership is best demonstrated through example. He told graduates that 'life is the last argument—people follow example more greedily than instructions'.
In his address, Fr Dionysius Vaz SJ, chancellor and provincial of Karnataka Jesuit Province, highlighted the enduring values of Jesuit education—equity, discernment, empathy, and justice. He envisioned St Aloysius rising to global eminence, becoming a cradle of innovation and producing leaders across disciplines. He urged graduates to journey with 'generosity and humility—the two greatest virtues you can carry through life'.
Dr Praveen Martis SJ, vice chancellor of St Aloysius University, welcomed the gathering, emphasising purposeful action, while Dr Ronald Nazareth, registrar, presented the list of graduates and recognised outstanding achievers.
Fr Brian Pereira SJ, pro-chancellor and rector of St Aloysius Institutions, Mangaluru, was also present on the dais and honoured the special prize awardee. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr Vaishali Rai, acknowledging the efforts of faculty, students, and organizers in making the ceremony memorable.
The ceremony was compered by Dr Vidya Vinutha D’Souza and Vishal Nayak, adding grace and flow to the proceedings.