Mangaluru: Father Muller School and College of Nursing on January 19 celebrated the triple jubilee of GNM programme (60 years - diamond), 30 years (pearl) of BSc and PBBSc nursing programme and 25 years (silver) of MSc Nursing programme as well as the inauguration of national conference on critical care nursing organized by the alumni association of Father Muller College of Nursing at Father Muller Convention Center.

The celebration began with a thanksgiving mass at 8.00 am at St Joseph Chapel. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, bishop of Mangaluru diocese and president of FMCI was the main celebrant, Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho director FMCI, Fr Henry Sequeira, chancellor, diocese of Mangaluru and other priests concelebrated the eucharistic celebration.

The formal celebrations commenced at 5.15 pm with the procession of guests, alumni, faculty and VIPs led by the band of Father Muller College of Nursing. Dr Aloysius Paul D’souza, chief guest Dr Ani Grace Kalaimathi, registrar, Tamilnadu Nurses and Midwives Council, guest of honour Sr Edmund D'Souza, former principal, Father Muller School of Nursing, Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho, director FMCI, Sr Jacintha D'Souza, principal, Father Muller College of Nursing, Jasmine Sarita Vas, principal, Father Muller School of Nursing, Darryl Aranha, president, alumni association were the dignitaries on the dais.

Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho welcomed the gathering.

Sr Jacintha D Souza introduced the chief guest and addressing the gathering the chief guest said, “Nurses need to be empowered and influenced by people like Florence nightingale to reach towards greater success. Nurses need to wake up and say that we are the knowledgeable angels in giving holistic care to the patients. Knowledge is power. We need to update our knowledge by continuing education, getting trained through bridging courses, need to know the technological advancement, online CNE modules. Nurses can run their own nurse led clinics at community level and can be nurse entrepreneurs, nurse consultants and nurse practitioners. Nurses should be proud to say that we are qualified RN and RM and should spread the fragrance around the world that they are the best in sharing love and care in the healthcare system of our country.”

Dr Ani Grace along with the other dignitaries released the jubilee souvenir.

Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza felicitated and honored the former and present directors, assistant directors, administrators, assistant administrators, chaplains, former and present principals of School & College of Nursing and nursing staff who served the institution for more than 15 years and are still on service.

Merlyn Tauro the first batch student of MSc Nursing presently working as senior international accreditation specialist at ministry of public health, Qatar shared her experience and cherished the memories of being at Father Muller Institution. She was honored by Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Sr Edmund D Souza. She expressed her happiness to be part of the celebration where she studied and served for 41 years in various capacities. She expressed her joy that her alma mater has reached the state of maturity and has contributed remarkably to the society, to nation and to the world by forming good, trustworthy professionals. She cherished the family spirit and good atmosphere which motivated her to work peacefully and invited the staff and students to imbibe the true spirit of nursing and to work with total dedication.

In his presidential address Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza congratulated all the nurses and said that nurses who are trained at Father Muller Institutions are wanted all over the world because of the standard of education and the values they receive as well as the way they care for their patients. Nursing has to be considered as a mission which Jesus himself has entrusted to each nurse and motivated the nurses to be committed.

Jasmine Sarita Vas proposed the vote of thanks.

After the institutional anthem, a cultural programme was presented by the students of School and College of Nursing. The College Anthem was sung by 60 alumni.