{"id":18968,"date":"2026-09-17T10:43:16","date_gmt":"2026-09-17T10:43:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/donboscoguwahati.org\/?post_type=province_news&p=18968"},"modified":"2026-09-17T10:43:20","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T10:43:20","slug":"fr-provincial-addresses-15th-convocation-of-assam-don-bosco-university","status":"publish","type":"province_news","link":"https:\/\/donboscoguwahati.org\/index.php\/news\/fr-provincial-addresses-15th-convocation-of-assam-don-bosco-university\/","title":{"rendered":"Fr Provincial Addresses 15th Convocation of Assam Don Bosco University"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Assam Don Bosco University celebrated its 15th<\/sup> Convocation Ceremony on 16 September 2026 with great enthusiasm and academic splendour, with the Hon\u2019ble Governor of Assam, Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya, as the Chief Guest. The convocation brought together the graduating students, university authorities, faculty members, parents, guardians and distinguished guests to celebrate the academic achievements of the graduating batch.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A significant highlight of the ceremony was the address delivered by Rev. Fr. Sebastian Kuricheal SDB, Provincial of the Salesian Province of Mary Help of Christians, Guwahati (ING), and Chancellor of Assam Don Bosco University. Congratulating the graduates, Fr. Sebastian emphasized that education must go beyond academic qualifications and professional competence, forming persons who are guided by knowledge, compassion, integrity and a spirit of service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fr. Sebastian began his address by extending a warm welcome to the Chief Guest, Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Hon\u2019ble Governor of Assam, and to Dr. V. P. Singh, Senior Deputy Director-General, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. He also acknowledged Rev. Fr. Jose Palely, Vice-Chancellor; Dr. Joseph Nellanatt, Pro-Vice-Chancellor; Dr. Zachari, Registrar; members of the Board of Management; faculty members; parents; guardians and other distinguished guests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Celebrating Achievement and Sacrifice<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Congratulating the graduates of the 2026 batch, the Provincial reminded them that their degrees represented years of hard work, discipline, late-night study, examinations, laboratory work, friendships and perseverance. He recognized the many sacrifices made by parents and guardians and expressed gratitude to them for supporting their children and entrusting them to the care and formation of the university.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He encouraged the graduates to see their convocation not simply as the completion of an academic journey but as the beginning of a new responsibility. Their education, he stressed, should now find expression in the way they live, work and contribute to society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Salesian Vision of Education<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reflecting on the life and mission of St. John Bosco, Fr. Sebastian recalled Don Bosco\u2019s extraordinary commitment to young people, particularly those who were poor, neglected and deprived of opportunities. Don Bosco, he said, believed that every young person deserved to be treated with dignity, respect and love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Provincial explained that the Don Bosco educational tradition rests on the principles of reason, religion and loving-kindness. These principles enable educators to accompany young people through trust, understanding and personal relationships rather than fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Fr. Sebastian, this Salesian approach remains highly relevant in today’s world because education is ultimately about the formation of the human person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHead, Heart and Hands\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fr. Sebastian emphasized that Assam Don Bosco University was established not merely to provide marketable skills, but to offer an education that develops the head, the heart and the hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Knowledge and professional competence, he said, must be placed at the service of compassion and humanity. Education should empower graduates to build, heal, create and serve society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the Provincial, a university\u2019s success cannot be measured only by examination results, degrees or employment opportunities. Its deeper contribution lies in forming young people who possess knowledge and skills while remaining sensitive to the needs of others and committed to the common good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preparing Graduates for a Changing World<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Addressing the rapidly changing professional landscape, Fr. Sebastian noted that the graduates were entering a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, automation and rapid technological advancement. He encouraged them to remain adaptable and committed to lifelong learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He highlighted Assam Don Bosco University\u2019s newer academic initiatives, including programmes in law, animation and visual effects, biotechnology and microbiology, as well as its partnership with Dhruva Space on the LAUNCH-1 satellite mission. He also referred to the university\u2019s recognition as a platinum sustainable campus partner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These initiatives, he said, demonstrate the university\u2019s effort to respond to emerging technological, professional and environmental challenges while keeping education connected with the needs of society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe World Needs Trustworthy People\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A particularly strong message in Fr. Sebastian\u2019s address was his emphasis on character and integrity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He cautioned that technical skill without character could become dangerous. Professionals may possess considerable knowledge and expertise, but if they compromise on honesty, manipulate the truth, cut corners or spread falsehoods, their competence can cause harm rather than contribute to the common good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Provincial therefore reminded the graduates that the world needs not only capable people but trustworthy people\u2014professionals who combine competence with honesty, responsibility and ethical conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His message placed character formation at the heart of professional preparation. For Fr. Sebastian, success should never be separated from integrity, and professional achievement should always be accompanied by a sense of responsibility towards others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Word to Those Still Searching<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fr. Sebastian also addressed those graduates who may still be uncertain about their careers or future plans. He assured them that uncertainty is not a sign of failure and encouraged them to continue learning, seek guidance when necessary and make thoughtful decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He reminded them that careers are not built overnight but gradually through a series of small choices. Every honest and responsible decision contributes to shaping one’s future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Provincial encouraged the graduates to make decisions that they would be proud to explain in the future, urging them not to be driven merely by immediate success but to consider the long-term meaning and consequences of their choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Education as a Mission of Service<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fr. Sebastian\u2019s address ultimately presented education as both an opportunity and a responsibility. As the graduates leave the university and enter different professions and fields of service, they are called to carry with them not only the knowledge acquired in classrooms and laboratories but also the values of compassion, integrity and responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 15th Convocation of Assam Don Bosco University therefore became more than a celebration of academic accomplishment. Through Fr. Sebastian\u2019s message, it was also a reminder that true education forms persons who use knowledge responsibly, combine competence with character, and place their talents at the service of society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the graduating batch of 2026 stepped into a new chapter of life, the Provincial\u2019s message offered them a clear challenge: to become professionals who are knowledgeable in the mind, compassionate in the heart and committed in their actions\u2014people who can be trusted and who are willing to serve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

News Courtesy: <\/strong>Bro Bipul Rabha SDB<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Assam Don Bosco University celebrated its 15th Convocation Ceremony on 16 September 2026 with great enthusiasm and academic splendour, with the Hon\u2019ble Governor of Assam, Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya, as the Chief Guest. The convocation brought together the graduating students, university authorities, faculty members, parents, guardians and distinguished guests to celebrate the academic achievements of…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":18969,"template":"","meta":[],"class_list":["post-18968","province_news","type-province_news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"featured_image_url":"https:\/\/donboscoguwahati.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1-3-1024x681.jpg"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/donboscoguwahati.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/province_news\/18968","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/donboscoguwahati.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/province_news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/donboscoguwahati.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/province_news"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/donboscoguwahati.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18969"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/donboscoguwahati.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18968"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}