By BIS Correspondent for BIS Mumbai

The Convocation Ceremony of Don Bosco Industrial Training Institute, Kurla, for the academic year 2024–25 was held on Friday, 26th September 2025, at the Fr. Santino Mondini Hall. The occasion was graced by distinguished guests, faculty members, trainees, and parents. A total of 171 trainees from the 2023–25 and 2024–25 batches proudly participated in this memorable event.

The ceremony commenced with a warm welcome to the dignitaries, followed by the National Anthem and the traditional lighting of the lamp. This symbolic gesture was performed by the Chief Guest, Mr Javed Qureshi (QHSE Director, APAC & ME); the Guest of Honour, Mr Jaiprakash Harishchandra Vaishya (Director & Founder, Cosmos Integrated Solutions Pvt. Ltd.); Fr Tony Pinto (Rector and Director); Mr Amarr Prabhu (Principal); and Institute Topper Master Qadri Afzal Mustafa from the Electrician trade.

The gathering was then led into prayer and a soulful prayer song, setting a solemn and inspiring atmosphere. The Principal, Mr Prabhu, officially declared the ceremony open, after which Fr Pinto addressed the audience with an encouraging message, reminding the trainees to uphold the values and skills imparted to them during their training.

A major highlight of the event was the felicitation of the Institute Topper. Master Qadri Afzal Mustafa, from the Electrician trade, was honoured for securing an outstanding 98% overall, including a perfect 100% in his second-year results. Certificates were then awarded to the trade toppers (Ranks 1–3), followed by the distribution to all graduating trainees.

In his keynote address, Chief Guest Mr Javed Qureshi emphasized the values of discipline, dedication, and lifelong learning. He reminded the trainees that the real concern is not, “Will AI take my job?” but rather, “Will someone who knows AI take my job?” He urged them to strike a balance between academic knowledge and professional success. To illustrate his message, he shared two stories—the first from BMW, highlighting customer focus, and the second, the famous “vanilla ice cream case”, emphasizing the importance of problem-solving through careful listening and analysis.

The Guest of Honour, Mr Vaishya, inspired the audience by sharing his journey as a marathon runner. He drew parallels between sports and life, encouraging trainees to cultivate endurance, resilience, and a habit of continuous upskilling, particularly in emerging fields like Artificial Intelligence.

A special moment of pride was the presentation of the Kaizen Certificates 2024–25, recognizing innovative contributions and creative problem-solving by trainees during the year.

The ceremony concluded with a heartfelt Vote of Thanks by Principal Mr Prabhu, who acknowledged the efforts of the organizing team, faculty, dignitaries, parents, and trainees. The event drew to a close with the rendition of the Maharashtra Geet – “Jai Jai Maharashtra Mazha”, leaving the audience with a strong sense of pride and belonging.

The Convocation was not merely a distribution of certificates but a celebration of achievement, resilience, and shared values. It symbolized Don Bosco ITI’s enduring commitment to shaping skilled, responsible, and future-ready professionals—young men and women equipped to meet the challenges of tomorrow with confidence and character.