Mangaluru: The School of Engineering (SOE), St Aloysius Deemed to be University, celebrated its maiden Engineer’s Day in honor of Bharat Ratna Sir M. Visvesvaraya.
The event was presided over by Rev. Dr Praveen Martis SJ, Vice Chancellor. Dr T Lazor Mathew, Former Chairman of Scientific Committees, Government of India, was the Chief Guest.
Guests of Honor included Neil Rodrigues, Program Manager–Global Delivery, Infosys Ltd, and Dr Ronald Nazareth, Registrar of the University. Dr S. Ruban, Dean of SOE, along with coordinators Dr Geetha Pinto and Aarathi, were also present.
The program began with a prayer, followed by a cultural performance that paid tribute to the life and legacy of Bharat Ratna Sir M. Visvesvaraya. Neil Rodrigues addressed the gathering on the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence, urging students to view it not as a threat but as an opportunity for innovation and growth. Drawing parallels with the digital revolution in photography, he highlighted how those who embraced change thrived, while others were left behind. Dr Ronald Nazareth stressed the need for engineering and basic sciences to work hand in hand for societal transformation. He reminded students of the Jesuit mission of becoming “men and women for and with others,” encouraging them to apply their knowledge for the common good.
In his keynote, Dr Lazor Mathew reflected on the contributions of India’s visionary engineers and scientists such as Sir M. Visvesvaraya, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, and Dr Verghese Kurien. He urged students to live by the principles of ABCD—Academics, Behavior, Communication, and Discipline—as a path to excellence. In his presidential address, Rev. Dr Praveen Martis SJ encouraged students to draw inspiration from pioneering engineers and dedicate their careers to service, innovation, and societal betterment.
The day also featured a keynote session by Dr Mathew on “Translational Research and Innovation”, where he emphasized grassroots-level innovations and product development. The day included student competitions such as Ideathon, the internal Smart India Hackathon, and Quizttica, an IT and business quiz, and concluded with a vibrant cultural program showcasing student talent.