Mangaluru: St Joseph Engineering College (SJEC), Vamanjoor, Mangaluru, came alive with nostalgia, celebration and inspiring conversations as the SJEC Alumni Association hosted Reminiscia 2026, the Silver Jubilee Commemorative Alumni Meet, marking 25 years of the institution’s academic journey, achievements and transformation.
The celebration brought together alumni from different batches and generations, along with faculty members, management representatives and well-wishers. The event provided a platform for former students to reconnect with old friends, revisit cherished memories and celebrate the achievements of SJEC and its alumni.
Alumni share career insights with students
One of the major highlights of Reminiscia 2026 was a panel discussion with alumni held at Fr Fred Memorial Hall, SJEC. The session was conducted on the theme, “From Campus to Career: Alumni Perspectives on Building Successful Careers in a Changing World.”
The discussion gave current students an opportunity to gain first-hand insights from accomplished alumni who have built careers across technology, research, engineering and business.
The distinguished panel comprised:
- S. Anantha Kamath, Cloud Support Engineer II, Amazon Web Services
- Mahima S Rao, Doctoral Researcher, Indian Institute of Technology Madras
- Vaibhav K Salian, AI/ML Engineer, EGDK
- Kevin Joel Rebello, Chief of Staff, Cheggout Services Pvt. Ltd.
- Dhanush Nayak, Senior Electrical Engineer, Lam Research (India) Pvt. Ltd.
The panel discussion focused on several aspects of professional growth, including career planning, emerging technologies, continuous learning, adaptability, higher education and industry expectations.
The alumni also highlighted the importance of developing skills beyond classroom learning. Their experiences demonstrated how the academic foundation gained at SJEC can evolve into diverse professional journeys.
The interaction was particularly meaningful for students as the panellists had once walked the same corridors and experienced campus life at SJEC. Their career journeys offered practical perspectives on navigating an increasingly competitive and rapidly changing professional environment.
The session was moderated by Dr Binu K G, Professor and Dean – Academic Affairs, who facilitated the exchange between the alumni panel and the audience.
Silver Jubilee alumni meet held in Mangaluru
The much-awaited Reminiscia 2026 Silver Jubilee Commemorative Alumni Meet was held on August 22, 2026, at Goldfinch Hotel, Mangaluru.
The event witnessed the participation of SJEC alumni representing different batches and generations. Rev. Fr. Wilfred Prakash D’Souza, Director, SJEC; Rev. Fr. Kenneth Rayner Crasta, Assistant Director; Dr Rio D’Souza, Principal; Mr Vinoothan Kaliveer, Chairperson, Alumni Affairs; Ms Renuka Tantry, Convenor; deans, heads of departments, staff members and members of the SJEC Alumni Association Executive Committee were present.
The gathering provided an opportunity for former students to renew friendships, share experiences and reconnect with the institution. For many alumni, returning to their alma mater and meeting former classmates transformed the event into an emotional homecoming.
Celebrating SJEC’s 25-year journey
The Silver Jubilee celebrations marked a significant milestone in SJEC’s journey. Established in 2002, the institution has developed into an autonomous institution with a focus on academic excellence, industry engagement, innovation, research, entrepreneurship and holistic student development.
The 25-year milestone represents more than the passage of time. It reflects the journeys of thousands of students, the contributions of faculty and staff, memorable campus experiences and the growth of an alumni network extending across industries and geographies.
Reminiscia 2026 provided an opportunity to look back at this journey while also focusing on the institution’s future. The celebrations brought together different generations of the SJEC community and highlighted the continuing relationship between the institution and its alumni.
Alumni achievers felicitated
A special part of the celebration was the felicitation of alumni achievers from diverse professional backgrounds. Alumni were honoured for their accomplishments in their respective fields as a token of appreciation from their alma mater.
Former members of the institution’s leadership were also felicitated for their contributions to SJEC’s development and growth. Rev. Fr. Valerian D’Souza, former Director, SJEC; Rev. Fr. Henry Mascarenhas, former Assistant Director; and Dr Joseph Gonsalves, former Principal, were present on the occasion and shared their experiences and thoughts on SJEC’s 25-year journey.
Their presence added significance to the celebrations and provided an opportunity to recognise the contributions of those who played important roles in shaping the institution.
Strengthening the bond between alumni and SJEC
The event also highlighted the important role of the SJEC Alumni Association in strengthening connections between former students, current students and the institution.
Alumni interactions can create opportunities for mentorship, professional networking, industry exposure, collaborative initiatives and knowledge sharing. The participation of alumni from varied professional backgrounds provided current students with access to experiences and perspectives from different sectors.
The panel discussion further demonstrated how alumni engagement can complement classroom education by giving students practical insights into career development and professional expectations.
The interaction between current students and alumni also brought a forward-looking dimension to the Silver Jubilee celebrations. While the event celebrated the institution’s past, the conversations around careers, technology and professional growth pointed towards the opportunities and challenges awaiting the next generation of SJEC students.
A celebration beyond nostalgia
The spirit of Reminiscia 2026 went beyond memories and reunions. It reflected the enduring relationship between SJEC and its alumni and highlighted how former students continue to carry the values and experiences gained at the institution into their professional lives.
The participation of alumni from diverse sectors added energy to the celebrations, while their achievements served as an inspiration for current students.
The Silver Jubilee theme gave the event a special significance. Twenty-five years of SJEC represent countless academic experiences, professional journeys, friendships and achievements. The alumni meet served as a reminder that the institution’s greatest strength lies not only in its infrastructure or academic programmes but also in the community it has built over the years.
The event captured the essence of the alumni spirit through the message, “Come Home, Reconnect, Reminisce and Celebrate.”
As former students returned to familiar surroundings and reunited with friends and mentors, Reminiscia 2026 reaffirmed that although SJEC alumni may have travelled across cities, countries, industries and professions, their connection with their alma mater remains strong.
The Silver Jubilee Commemorative Alumni Meet concluded as more than a celebration. It became a reflection of 25 years of academic excellence, professional achievements, lifelong friendships and a growing SJEC family, while setting the stage for stronger alumni engagement in the years ahead.
