The Official Inaugural ceremony of the first batch of MBA and IT students for the academic year 2024-25 at St Aloysius Deemed to be University was held on August 19, 2024, in the Arthur Shenoi Auditorium at the AIMIT Center, Beeri.
The ceremony commenced with a prayer service led by Dr. Ruban, followed by the formal inauguration through the lighting of the lamp by the Rector and Pro Chancellor, Rev. Fr Melwin J Pinto SJ, Dr Rajani Suresh, the Dean of the MBA program, extended a warm welcome to the dignitaries and the incoming first-year students of the University batch.
In his inaugural address, Rev. Fr Melwin J. Pinto SJ emphasized the importance of venturing beyond one's comfort zone with the analogy, "A ship is safe in the harbor, but it is not meant to stay there." He encouraged the students to aim high and take risks, urging them not to rely solely on their professors. He highlighted that 80 percent of learning happens outside the classroom, with only 20 percent occurring within it. Fr. Pinto also stressed that assignments and projects should be aimed at benefiting society rather than just securing academic marks.
The Registrar of the University, Dr Ronald Nazareth, addressed the students, emphasizing that they will always be remembered as the first batch of the University. He mentioned that this batch would receive their convocation before their seniors, and to accomplish this, the university would be operating at "5G speed." Dr. Nazareth also urged the students to set specific goals and aim high to achieve success in their lives.
Dr. Alwyn D'Sa, the Registrar of St. Aloysius College, spoke about the distinctiveness of Aloysian graduates compared to those from other institutions. He emphasized the importance of thinking beyond conventional boundaries and highlighted that the Jesuit educational paradigm is both student-centric and learning-centric. To illustrate his point, he used the analogy of a proton and an electron, explaining how the electron revolves around the nucleus and changes its orbit, symbolizing the dynamic and transformative learning experience at St Aloysius.
The Director of the AIMIT Center, Rev. Dr Kiran Cotha, SJ, addressed the students, encouraging them to proudly identify as "Aloysians" from that day forward, and a transformation he said would begin as they immerse themselves in the Aloysian ecosystem and become “Men and Women for and with others”. He emphasized that this is an era dominated by knowledge, and choosing ignorance is one's choice. Fr. Kiran also stressed that hard work is the only true mantra for achieving success.
In his presidential remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Rev. Dr Praveen V. Martis, SJ, urged the students to not only focus on what they receive but also to consider what they can give back. Quoting Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, he emphasized that the students must have both the desire and the dream to achieve anything in life. Dr. Martis also highlighted the core ideals of Jesuit education: Academic Excellence, Character Formation, and Social Concern.
Vote of thanks was delivered by the Dean of IT, Dr Hemalatha N. The ceremony was compered by Dr Poulami Saha.