Graduation Ceremony 2021 of Father Muller Medical College, Mangalore

Mangalore:- The Graduation Ceremony of Father Muller Medical College took place with much fanfare on Saturday, 16^th January 2021 in Father Muller Convention Centre. 111 grandaunts from MBBS stream received their degree certificates. The Chief Guest of the graduation was the honorable Vice Chancellor of the Mangalore University Dr P. Subrahmanya Yadapadithaya.

Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore Diocese and President of Father Muller Charitable Institutions, presided over the ceremony with the parents and faculty of the graduates in attendance. In view of the pandemic protocol necessary precautions were in place but this did not seem to deter the enthusiasm of the gathering in jubilating the success in professional academia.

The Director of the Father Muller Charitable Institutions Rev Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho welcomed the dignitaries on the dais and the grandaunts and their family. The honour and prestige to be with the graduates on this momentous day was reverbed in his address, ever thanking the president of the FMCI and the Administrative priests who shoulder the responsibility of the Institutions. An acknowledgement of the advisory committee, management committee, faculties and staff to make this day possible was also echoed.  A brief bio-sketch of the chief guest was presented too much accolades from the audience. He concluded by saying that “we know you can make it, with the education and vocational training given and the ethics and ethos instilled at every level”. Father Muller Charitable Institutions is in its 140^th year of fruitful service to humanity in the area of Healthcare. The Institution has seen its wondrous growth by the blessings of the Almighty.

The Dean of the Father Muller Medical College presented the annual report 2020-21. He was extremely happy to announce the results of the institution. He mentioned the various staff that brought accolades to the institutions through their higher degree. Students who received grants and had accepted papers/posters were mentioned; the research grants too got by the staff were announced. Adrenaline (a national level event) and the workshops conducted to benefit the students, the bioethics deliberations, various workshops, CME and conferences held in the previous year were elaborated upon. Various students were selected by the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences for various events. He also acknowledged the support of the management, faculty, staff, students and guardians of the students.

Dr Subrahmanya Yadapadithaya the chief guest, firstly thanked the grandaunts for the opportunity to participate in the most solemn event in academia. The education and teachings received should have a multiplicative synergistic effect i.e.; 1+1=3. The hearts and minds of the public are touched by the power of the medical profession. Listening to our inner voice to maintain good judgment is crucial. Respect to profession is important and ethical view in life is still important. He saluted the efforts of the COVID warriors for the efforts during this pandemic. Concluding he said there 3 things to respect a job is, to have responsibility – to others and all things living, to give back – to loved ones and society and the world and to earn a living.

Most Rev Peter Paul Saldanha in his presidential address echoed again the happiness of being part of this occasion where new doctors are born to the society. Health care workers were in news through the year for their dedicated services and sacrifices which has carved a niche in the hearts of the public. Doctors have been seen during this pandemic to have saved lives at the cost of one’s self. Selflessness and dedication was the prominent attributes of the doctor seen during the pandemic. The other most important lesson we learnt was that “we need one another”, human nearness was more valuable than gold. An anecdote derived from the Duke of wellington’s win at Waterloo against Bonaparte was the sights of seeing the Duke kiss the walls of his school, to which he later mentions as to where he learnt of patriotism and to justice and truth. He concluded by thanking all and reminding all “Love for the other” – let our name not be etched in marble but in the hearts of the other”, to save life at any cost and that we are called to live for eternity here and forever.

The graduates were called onto the dais to receive their certificates. Dr Ramesh Bhat, Vice Principal FMMC, read out the medal winners of the RGUHS and Dr Sandeep Kordcal, was conferred the FMCI Presidential medal for the best outgoing student of the Father Muller Medical College. He received a Gold Coin and the president’s merit certificate.

The Institutional anthem was played for the graduates who sung in respect to their Alma Mater. Response by Graduate Representative was done by Dr Floris Ann Francis who expressed her immense thanks to the management faculty and staff in help molding them to be better doctors. Her reminiscence of the years spent in the college and the myriad of activities and get-togethers they had as a batch was poetry at best.

The vote of thanks was proposed by Rev Fr Ajith B Menezes, Administrator FMMC, who eloquently thanked everyone who tirelessly made the event a wonderful event for the graduates and the institution. He also poured for words of wisdom to the new graduates to use their degree wisely and abide by the code to which they have promised to adhere.

Rev Fr Rudolph Ravi D’Sa, Administrator FMMCH, Rev. Fr Slyvester, Administrator FMHT, Dean FMMC – Dr J P Alva, Vice Dean- Dr Ramesh Bhat, , Medical Superintendent – Dr Uday kumar were on the dais. A large crowd witnessed the event with huge media presence and online links.

The Graduation was preceded by a Thanks giving Holy Eucharistic celebration on 16^th January 2021 at 8 a.m. in the St Joseph’s Chapel at the FMCI campus offered by Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore Diocese and President of FMCI.

The graduation ceremonial event was compered by Dr Aruna Yadiyal, Professor Department of Psychiatry, Father Muller Medical College. The event concluded with reverence to our nation with the Indian National anthem.