Year: 2026
Venue: Pune, Maharashtra
Organized by: All India Catholic University Federation (AICUF)
Team Represented: AICUF Karnataka
Karnataka Participant:
Rev. Fr. Merwyn Loyd Fernandes —AICUF State Advisor
Kruthi A — Full Timer
Leron Rodrigues — NT Member
Sharona Preethi — NC Member
Rahul Baman — Dalit Commission
Vinisha Dais — Ecology Commission
Danica Noronha — Women Commission
Introduction:
The AICUF National Council Meet 2026 was an important national gathering of the All India Catholic University Federation (AICUF) held in Pune, Maharashtra. The programme brought together AICUF student leaders, representatives, IQFs, animators and members from different parts of India for a time of reflection, fellowship, evaluation, sharing, cultural expression and planning.
The National Council was organised around the theme “Reimagining & Restructuring AICUF.” The theme encouraged participants to reflect on the present reality of AICUF and explore new possibilities for strengthening the movement and making it more relevant to the changing needs of university students and society.
The gathering provided a valuable platform for participants to understand the wider AICUF movement, share experiences, discuss challenges, strengthen leadership and collectively envision the future direction of AICUF.
Participation
The National Council brought together AICUFers from different states and institutions across India, creating a strong atmosphere of unity, fellowship and national solidarity.
Team Karnataka
Team Karnataka was represented by 7 participants and one of those was Ms.Vinisha Dias from St. Joseph Engineering College (SJEC), Mangaluru.
Her participation at the National Council provided an opportunity to represent Karnataka at the national level and to interact with AICUFers, student leaders and representatives from different parts of the country.
Ms. Vinisha Dias actively participated in the various sessions, discussions, report presentations, cultural activities and interactions of the Council.
The representation of Team Karnataka reflected the active involvement of the state in the national AICUF movement.
Theme of the National Council
“Reimagining & Restructuring AICUF”
The central theme of the National Council was “Reimagining & Restructuring AICUF.”
The theme invited participants to think critically about the present situation of AICUF and reflect on how the movement can grow and respond effectively to the changing realities of young people.
The discussions encouraged participants to consider:
- The present identity and mission of AICUF.
- The changing needs and concerns of university students.
- Ways of strengthening AICUF units.
- The importance of youth leadership.
- New approaches to student engagement.
- Stronger collaboration among AICUF units.
- The role of young people in social transformation.
- Ways of making AICUF more relevant and effective.
The theme became a call to reflect on the past, understand the present and envision the future of AICUF.
Activities and Sessions
The National Council consisted of various sessions, discussions, report presentations, cultural activities, interactions and reflections focusing on the vision, mission and future of AICUF.
Participants engaged in discussions and reflections on the challenges faced by students and young people today. The sessions encouraged critical thinking, social awareness and active participation.
The participants also had opportunities to share experiences from their respective institutions and states. These sharing sessions helped identify common challenges as well as successful initiatives that could inspire other AICUF units.
Team Karnataka – Report Presentation
An important part of the National Council was the report presentation by Team Karnataka.
The presentation provided an opportunity for Karnataka to share its activities, initiatives, experiences and achievements with the wider AICUF community at the national level.
Through the report presentation, the participants were able to understand the work carried out by AICUF Karnataka and the efforts made by its various units.
The presentation also became a platform to highlight the commitment and active involvement of AICUF members in Karnataka.
The report sharing encouraged learning and exchange between the different state teams and demonstrated the importance of documenting and presenting the work carried out at the grassroots level.
Key aspects of the report presentation included:
- Presentation of Karnataka AICUF activities.
- Sharing of experiences from different units.
- Highlighting the participation of students and youth.
- Reflection on the achievements and challenges of the state.
- Sharing ideas and initiatives for the future.
- Strengthening communication between state and national AICUF teams.
The presentation was an important opportunity for Team Karnataka to represent its work and contribution at the national platform.
Cultural Programme
The National Council also provided an opportunity for participants to celebrate the rich cultural diversity of AICUF through a cultural programme.
Team Karnataka participated in the cultural programme, presenting its cultural expression before the gathering.
The cultural programme created a lively and joyful atmosphere and provided participants with an opportunity to appreciate the traditions and cultural richness of different regions.
The participation of Team Karnataka reflected the culture, creativity, unity and enthusiasm of the young people of the state.
The programme also helped participants from different states to learn about one another's cultural traditions and strengthened the spirit of national integration and fellowship.
The cultural programme demonstrated that AICUF is not only a space for discussions and social action but also a community where young people can celebrate diversity, express their creativity and build friendships.
Leadership Formation
Leadership formation was an important dimension of the National Council.
The programme encouraged students to understand leadership as a responsibility and a commitment to service, rather than merely holding a position.
Participants were encouraged to develop qualities such as:
- Responsibility
- Teamwork
- Critical thinking
- Communication
- Listening
- Decision-making
- Social awareness
- Commitment to justice
- Service to others
The Council helped young participants recognise their potential to become responsible leaders within their institutions, communities and society.
For Ms. Vinisha Dias from SJEC, the National Council provided valuable exposure to national-level AICUF leadership, coordination and student engagement.
Sharing of Experiences
One of the important aspects of the National Council was the sharing of experiences among AICUFers from different regions.
Participants had the opportunity to learn about the activities and initiatives carried out by various AICUF units. They also shared their experiences, challenges and achievements.
The Team Karnataka report presentation was an important part of this exchange, enabling the state team to share its journey and work with participants from across the country.
Such sharing helped participants understand that although AICUF functions in different institutions and states, the movement is united by a common vision and mission.
Fellowship and Interaction
The National Council was not limited to formal sessions. It also created opportunities for fellowship, interaction and relationship building.
AICUFers from different parts of India interacted with one another, shared experiences and built new friendships.
The cultural programme further strengthened this fellowship by creating a joyful space where participants could celebrate their diversity together.
The gathering provided a valuable opportunity to appreciate the diversity of AICUF while recognising the common commitment that connects its members.
New AICUF Space
A special aspect connected with the programme was the new space prepared for AICUFers.
The new room was beautifully prepared and arranged, creating a welcoming environment for AICUF members to meet, interact, plan activities and spend time together.
The space serves as more than just a physical facility. It provides a common place where young people can gather, share ideas, organise activities and strengthen the AICUF movement.
The beautifully prepared space added to the sense of belonging, fellowship and community among AICUFers.
Learning and Enrichment
The National Council was a valuable learning experience for the participants.
Through the sessions, discussions, report presentations, cultural activities and interactions, participants gained a deeper understanding of:
- AICUF's identity and mission
- Student leadership
- Social responsibility
- Justice and equality
- Youth participation
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Critical awareness
- The importance of social action
- The need to strengthen student movements
- The importance of sharing and documenting AICUF activities
The programme encouraged participants to move beyond simply being members of an organisation and to become active and responsible participants in social transformation.
Outcome of the Programme
The AICUF National Council Meet 2026 was successful in creating a space for reflection, learning, leadership formation, fellowship, cultural exchange and national-level interaction.
The programme helped participants:
- Develop a broader understanding of AICUF.
- Strengthen leadership abilities.
- Meet and interact with AICUFers from different regions.
- Share experiences and learn from other units.
- Understand the challenges facing young people.
- Reflect on the future of AICUF.
- Develop new ideas for strengthening local AICUF activities.
- Renew their commitment to service and social justice.
- Celebrate cultural diversity.
- Build stronger relationships with fellow AICUFers.
For Ms. Vinisha Dias from SJEC, the National Council was an important opportunity to represent Team Karnataka, participate in the report presentation and cultural programme, and gain valuable national-level exposure.
Personal and Collective Learning
The National Council provided an experience that went beyond the formal programme.
The gathering taught participants the importance of working together, listening to different perspectives, respecting diversity and taking collective responsibility.
The report presentation demonstrated the importance of sharing experiences and learning from one another, while the cultural programme showed how diversity can become a source of unity and fellowship.
The experience encouraged participants to bring the spirit of AICUF back to their respective institutions and become more actively involved in student and social initiatives.
Conclusion
The AICUF National Council Meet 2026 in Pune was a meaningful and enriching national gathering that brought together young people from different parts of India under the common vision of service, justice, solidarity and social transformation.
The theme “Reimagining & Restructuring AICUF” encouraged participants to critically reflect on the present and envision new possibilities for the future of the movement.
The representation of Team Karnataka by Ms. Vinisha Dias from St. Joseph Engineering College, Mangaluru, was an important part of the National Council. Her participation in the sessions, report presentation, cultural programme and fellowship activities provided an opportunity to represent Karnataka and gain valuable experience at the national level.
The Team Karnataka report presentation highlighted the activities and experiences of AICUF Karnataka, while the cultural programme provided an opportunity to celebrate Karnataka's cultural identity and contribute to the spirit of national fellowship.
The beautifully prepared new AICUF space also became a special highlight, providing a welcoming environment for AICUFers to gather, interact and continue their work.
The National Council concluded with a renewed sense of enthusiasm, responsibility, unity and commitment. The experience offered new insights, friendships, ideas and inspiration to strengthen AICUF at the local, state and national levels.
The programme reminded everyone that reimagining AICUF requires young people who are willing to reflect, participate, take responsibility, celebrate diversity and work together for a better society.
