St. Francis College for Women celebrates 44th Graduation Ceremony in Begumpet
Begumpet: St. Francis College for Women hosted its 44th Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at its Begumpet campus, celebrating the academic achievements of its students.
The event featured Chief Guest M. Dana Kishore, I/C Vice-Chancellor of Osmania University and Principal Secretary of Municipal Administration & Urban Development, alongside Guest of Honour A. Sri Devasena, Commissioner of Collegiate & Technical Education, Chairman of the State Board of Technical Education & Training, and Director of Telugu Academy. Both dignitaries conferred degrees upon the graduating classes.
For their outstanding academic performances, 40 gold medals were awarded to students from the 2021-2024 undergraduate batch and the 2022-2024 postgraduate batch.
In her welcome address, Principal Dr. Uma Joseph congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to embrace the challenges of the outside world. She inspired them with the story of Malala Yousafzai, highlighting the resilience that womanhood demands in today’s society. Dr. Uma Joseph urged graduates to channel their strength and determination as they embark on their future journeys.
Chief Guest M. Dana Kishore praised St. Francis College as a symbol of enlightenment, emancipation, and empowerment, underscoring its impressive ranking in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) and the remarkable achievements of its alumni, who have become leaders and changemakers in various fields. He noted the college’s commitment to blending academic excellence with social responsibility through initiatives such as the National Service Scheme (NSS), National Cadet Corps (NCC), and the SwarnoJwala scheme, which provides free education to five students annually. The college’s motto, “Wisdom and Peace through Love,” continues to resonate through its initiatives.
Dana Kishore highlighted the Modi government’s focus on a developed India with sustainability and carbon neutrality by 2070. He spoke of the government’s vision of creating a $5 trillion economy through innovation, ease of business, and investment while maintaining a strong commitment to environmental sustainability. He addressed the significant gender disparities women face in various sectors, citing that only 6.5% of leaders in Fortune 500 companies are women and emphasizing the slow progress in fields like film and journalism.
Urging students to “break the glass ceiling,” Dana Kishore encouraged them to overcome the invisible barriers that often impede career advancement. He highlighted the importance of resilience, advocacy, and determination in paving the way for equitable access to leadership roles and opportunities for growth. He reminded graduates to be emotionally strong, embrace lifelong learning, and contribute positively to society.
A. Sri Devasena, in her address, spoke on the transient nature of academic achievements, urging graduates to pursue meaningful work that creates lasting impacts. Sharing her journey from St. Francis Junior College to civil services, she encouraged graduates to act with integrity and seize opportunities despite challenges. Devasena inspired the graduates with anecdotes of her career and spoke about the power of intuition and self-reliance. She quoted Shah Rukh Khan from Om Shanti Om, stating, “If you want something, the whole universe conspires to help you achieve it,” and highlighted the potential within each graduate to effect positive change in society.
The ceremony ended with the principal administering an oath to the graduates, inspiring a sense of responsibility and love for their alma mater. Following this, an award ceremony took place, during which the Chief Guest, M. Dana Kishore, the Guest of Honour, A. Sri Devasena, and the Principal, Dr. Uma Joseph, presented degrees and medals to the graduates.
A total of 998 students received their Graduation Certificates, with Venkata Sai Taruni from Social Sciences and Ragamaina from Sciences each receiving four gold medals, marking an exceptional achievement across all subjects and languages.
