The 21st Graduation Ceremony of St Joseph Engineering College (SJEC), Mangaluru, was held on 29 August 2026 in the Kalam Auditorium in two sessions. Degrees were conferred on 570 BE graduates and 2 Ph.D. awardees from the Class of 2026.
Mr Francis D’Souza, Managing Director, F4 Holdings India Pvt Ltd and Dr Archana Mantri, Vice Chancellor, Anurag University, Hyderabad, graced the event as Chief Guests. Mr Richard Nazareth, Engineering Leader, VMware Broadcom R&D Division and Ms Ancy Jovita Crasta, Senior Product Development Manager, Siemens, were the Guests of Honour. Most Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore and President of SJEC, presided over the ceremony.
Rev. Fr. Wilfred Prakash D’Souza, Director, welcomed the gathering. The Chief Guests and Guests of Honour were introduced by Dr Binu K G, Professor & Dean-Academic Affairs (morning session), and Dr K Jyothi, Professor & Dean-Student Welfare (evening session).
In their addresses, Mr. Richard Nazareth urged graduates to embrace challenges, dream big, combine AI with core knowledge and create meaningful paths to success, while Ms. Ancy Crasta encouraged graduates to embrace continuous learning, strengthen fundamentals and uphold trust, integrity and gratitude throughout their careers. Mr. Francis D’Souza congratulated graduands and parents, emphasizing practical skills, passion, consistency and commitment as keys to career success, and Dr. Archana Mantri urged graduates to embrace lifelong learning, perseverance and individuality while confidently carving their own paths to success.
Dr. Rio D’Souza, Principal, administered the graduation oath. Valedictorians Ms Deeksha Gowda, Mr Sai Vardhan, Ms Elvisha Rosewin Lobo and Mr Glen Elric Fernandes shared their reflections on the transformative journey of education and gratitude was expressed towards all individuals who contributed to shaping the graduates into who they are today.
Rank holders and Sports achievers were recognized and awarded by Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore and President of SJEC. Felicitations were done to the Chief guest and guest of honour by the Bishop as a token of Respect and Gratitude.
NCC Navy Cadet Ms. Lisha D.S. was felicitated for receiving the prestigious Raksha Mantri Award from the Defence Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh for her outstanding NCC accomplishments.
In his Presidential Address, Most Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha urged graduates to embrace setbacks with resilience, reflect on their experiences and value the guidance of parents, teachers and friends in shaping a successful life.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr Aswathy C M & Ms. Supriya Salian. The program was compered by Ms Florence Nishmitha, Mr Abhilash R V, Ms Jaishma Kumari & Ms Dyanila Neeta. Program ended with national anthem. SJEC wishes the Graduates from the Class of 2026 all success in their future endeavours.
