Graduation Ceremony of Father Muller School & College of Nursing and Father Muller College (Speech & Hearing) celebrated

Date : Apr 18, 2026

The Father Muller School of Nursing, Father Muller College of Nursing, and Father Muller College (Speech & Hearing), units of the Father Muller Charitable Institutions (FMCI), celebrated their Graduation Ceremony – 2026 with grandeur and solemnity on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 3.00 pm at the Father Muller Convention Centre, Kankanady, Mangaluru.

The ceremony brought together management, distinguished guests, 226 graduands, faculty, parents, and final year students in an atmosphere of pride, accomplishment, and gratitude.

The graduation ceremony commenced with a formal academic procession of the graduands, faculty, and dignitaries, setting a dignified tone for the event, and was followed by a floral tribute to the founder, Rev. Fr Augustus Muller SJ.

The programme was presided over by Most Rev. Dr Bernard Moras, Archbishop Emeritus of Bangalore, lending spiritual guidance and blessings to the gathering.

The chief guests were Dr Venkataraja Aithal U, Former Associate Dean and Professor, Manipal College of Health Profession, MAHE, Manipal and Dr Asha P Shetty, Principal, College of Nursing, AIIMS, Bhubaneswar.

The event was graced by the presence of several dignitaries including:

Rev. Fr Faustine Lucas Lobo, Director, FMCI

Rev. Dr Michael L Santhumayor, Administrator, FMMC, FMCOAHS, FMCOP

Rev. Fr George Jeevan Sequeira, Administrator, FMMCH

Dr Uday Kumar K, Medical Superintendent, FMMCH

Rev. Sr Dr Dhanya Devasia, Principal, FMCON & FMSON

Prof. Cynthia Santhmayor, Principal, FMC (Speech & Hearing)

Rev. Sr Nancy Priya Mathais, Chief Nursing Officer, FMMCH

Dr Agnes EJ, Vice Principal FMCON

An invocation marked the beginning of the formal programme through a prayer dance.

Rev. Fr Faustine Lucas Lobo, Director, FMCI, welcomed the gathering, introduced the chief guests, and  highlighted the legacy, mission, and commitment of the Father Muller Charitable Institutions toward excellence in healthcare education.

Rev. Sr Dhanya Devasia presented the annual report of the School and College of Nursing, while Prof. Cynthia Santhmayor presented the report of the College of Speech and Hearing.

The Chief Guest, Dr. Asha P. Shetty, began her address with a sense of homecoming to her alma mater, where she had imbibed the ethos, values, and traditions instilled by Father Muller College of Nursing. She congratulated the graduates, describing their present moment as a bridge—one side reflecting years of toil, hard work, and sleepless nights, and the other opening into an ocean of opportunities. She noted that nursing has evolved from mere bedside care to encompass roles in administration, healthcare quality management, entrepreneurship, and research. Yet, she emphasized, no technology can ever replace the human touch and commitment of a compassionate nurse.

The Chief Guest, Dr. Venkataraja Aithal (Udupi), delivered an inspiring Graduation Address, reminiscing about his association with Father Muller. He recalled working at the institution for a month under the directorship of Rev. Dr. Moras before leaving for his master’s studies in Mysore in 1995. The salary he earned during that brief tenure helped him pay his fees, for which he remains deeply grateful. He also acknowledged the invaluable experience he gained under Dr. Dayakar Poonja, ENT Surgeon. Recounting a recent academic interaction, he spoke of his astonishment when a postgraduate student demonstrated exceptional clinical skill in using a stroboscope to examine the vocal cords; upon inquiry, he discovered she was a graduate of Father Muller College. This, he said, exemplified the institution’s strong clinical exposure and dedicated mentorship. He further highlighted the importance of creativity and innovation in both students and patients, noting that without creativity, innovation ceases. Sharing an anecdote, he described how a simple pen refill was used to stop a leak in a prosthesis for a patient who could not afford a replacement—an idea that later earned him a government grant for cost-effective prosthetic solutions in speech. He concluded by urging graduates to nurture knowledge, skills, and innovation—the true pillars of academic excellence.

In his Presidential Address, Most Rev. Dr. Bernard Moras reflected on the pioneering service of Rev. Fr. Augustus Müller, who cared for persons with leprosy and disabilities at a time when they were neglected and marginalized. He reminded the gathering that the Father Muller Institutions were founded on love for the sick and suffering, a legacy that continues through its nurses and healthcare professionals who extend empathy and care when it is needed most. He stressed that skills without empathy are of little value and encouraged the graduates to become beacons of love and service. Addressing the issue of brain drain in the nursing and healthcare sectors, he called for greater governmental attention to ensure quality opportunities within the country while meeting global demands. He concluded with the words of Christ, “What you do unto others, you do unto Me,” urging all to be persons of service, love, and harmony.

The highlight of the ceremony was the conferring of graduation certificates to the graduands from Nursing and Speech & Hearing disciplines by the Chief Guests, followed by the administration of professional oaths by the principals of the respective colleges.

Outstanding students were recognized for their academic excellence and outstanding  achievements.

Father Muller School of Nursing

Ms. Priya Asmi Dsouza received the prize for highest aggregate in GNM Nursing

Ms. Renuka Narasing Gouli, Ms. Muriel Cutinha and Ms. Anisha Murall Valder, were also honoured for academic distinction across subjects

Father Muller College of Nursing

Ms. Deepa Robert K emerged as the top awardee and received multiple awards, including the highest aggregate and academic excellence in B.Sc Nursing

Ms. Divya Jyothi Crasta and Ms. Merlyn Priya Moras were recognized for highest aggregate and academic excellence in P.B.B.Sc and M.Sc Nursing respectively.

Ms. Chrishall J Gomes, Ms. Shiji Joshi were awarded with subject-wise excellence in B.Sc and P.B.B.Sc Nursing

Several students achieved RGUHS subject ranks, showcasing the institution’s consistent academic excellence at the university level.

Best Dissertation Awards

Ms. Apoorva S received the Best Dissertation Award for the topic: Effect of Trataka on the Wellbeing of Adolescents Living in Institutionalized Homes at Mangalore, guided by Ms. Deepika N. C. & Dr Devina E Rodrigues (Postgraduate Project)

Ms. Deepa Robert and Group received the Best Research Project Award for the topic: Academic Resilience and Mindfulness Among Student Nurses: A Correlational Study, guided by Mrs. Santhipriya Monteiro (Undergraduate Project)

Father Muller College (Speech & Hearing)

Undergraduates:

Ms Sthuthi S Kotian is awarded for securing Highest Marks in 1st & 2nd  semesters, Bachelor in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology (B.ASLP) in the University Examinations held in December - January 2025/ June-July 2025 under Mangalore University, Mangalagangothri, Mangaluru.

Ms Nainika Thomas, is awarded for securing Highest Marks in 3rd & 4th semesters, B.ASLP in the University Examinations held in December - January 2025/ June-July 2025 under Mangalore University

Ms Herlin Meryl Mendonca, is awarded for securing overall Highest Marks in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th Semester and bagged 1st Rank in B.ASLP course in the Mangalore University Examinations held in April/May-2022, September/October-2022, February/March-2023, July/August–2023, December 2023/January 2024, July/August 2024 for the year 2021-2025.

Post Graduates:

Ms Reshma is awarded for securing highest marks in 1st& 2nd Semesters, M.Sc. (Audiology) in the University Examinations held in February-March 2025/July-August 2025 under Mangalore University.

Ms Jenin Dsouza is awarded for securing highest marks in 1st & 2nd semesters, M.Sc. SLP in the University Examinations held in February-March 2025/July-August 2025 under Mangalore University.

UG Graduands:

Ms Carol Jevita Lobo, is awarded for securing Highest Marks in 5th & 6th Semesters, B.ASLP)in the University Examinations held in in December - January 2025/ June-July 2025

Ms Carol Jevita Lobo, is awarded for securing overall Highest Marks in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th Semesters in B.ASLP in the University Examinations held during the Academic Year 2022-2026 under Mangalore University

PG Graduands:

Ms Hadline Rechael Noronha is awarded for securing Highest Marks in 3rd & 4th semesters, M.Sc. (Audiology) in the University Examinations held in February-March 2025/July-August 2025 under Mangalore University.

Ms Hadline Rechael Noronha is awarded for securing overall Highest Marks in 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th semesters and bagged 1st Rank in M.Sc. (Audiology) course in the Mangalore University Examinations held in February/March -2024, July/August -2024, February/March -2025, July/August -2025 for the academic year 2023-2025. 

Ms Neha R Patil Kulkarni, is awarded for securing Highest Marks in 3rd & 4th semesters, M.Sc. (SLP) in the University Examinations held in February-March 2025/ July-August 2025 under Mangalore University.

Ms Neha R Patil Kulkarni, is awarded for securing overall Highest Marks in 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th semesters and bagged 1st Rank in M.Sc. (SLP) course in the Mangalore University Examinations held in February/March -2024, July/August -2024, February/March -2025, July/August -2025 for the academic year 2023-2025. 

Best Dissertation Awards

 Ms Hadline Rechael Noronha, M.Sc. (Audiology) has been awarded the Best Dissertation Award for the topic titled "Association between temporal processing abilities and listening effort among Musicians and Non-Musicians” under the guidance of Dr Prashasti P Poovaiah for the year July, 2025.

Ms Diya Jayakara Shetty, M.Sc. (SLP)  has been awarded the Best Dissertation Award for the topic titled "A Comparative study on Linguistic Homogeneity: Influence of Kannada – Tulu V/S Kannada – English bilingualism on syntax in school aged children” under the guidance of Prof. Cynthia Santhmayor for the year July, 2025.

Overall Excellence Awards for 2026

Overall Excellence in B.Sc. Nursing, donated by Fr. Denis D Sa in memory of Mrs. Mary D Sa was conferred on Ms.Reshal Mascarenhas.

Overall Excellence in GNM founded by Superior General, Sisters of Charity was conferred on Ms.Manehar Muslima Kasim.

Father Muller College Overall Excellence Award – 2025 Best Outgoing Student of the Year 2022–2026 in B.ASLP is awarded to Ms Carol Jevita Lobo.

The program concluded with a heartfelt response from a graduate of FMCON, and the vote of thanks was delivered by Prof. (Dr) Agnes EJ. 

The Institutional Anthem rang through the hall after honouring the Post Graduands of Father Muller College while the Indian National Anthem was sung with great fervour marking the proud culmination of the ceremony.

Mrs. Charitha Lewis, Lecturer, FMCON and Dr. Calida Frieda Pinto, Assistant Professor FMCOSH compeered the event.

The Graduation Ceremony 2026 stood as a proud milestone for the graduates and a reaffirmation of the institution’s commitment to nurturing competent and compassionate healthcare professionals. As the graduates step into the professional world, they carry with them the legacy of Father Muller Charitable Institutions—rooted in service, guided by values, and dedicated to the betterment of society.