Loyola College's 100-Year Milestone Marked By Star-Studded Event In Dubai

The Loyola College UAE Alumni Chapter hosted the 'International Alumni Day 2024' at JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai on August 16. This event was a prelude to the centenary celebrations of Loyola College in Chennai, India, scheduled for next year. The gathering allowed officials and alumni, including Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand and Vijay Amritraj, to reflect on their experiences as Loyolites.

On this special occasion, Dr. Surender Singh Kandhari, Chairman and Founder of the Al Dobowi Group and Loyola College alumnus, launched his commemorative book titled "Loyola: 100 Years of Shaping Futures". The book, aurthored by Dr. Kandari, chronicles the college's history and includes stories from notable alumni.

Special chief guest at the event HE Sunjay Sudhir, Ambassador of India to the UAE, released the book and praised Loyola College for its century-long contribution to education and leadership. Making a special address, he spoke of the profound impact the college and its alumni have had on countless lives. He described the college as “an institution that has stood as a beacon of education and leadership for a century”.

Rev. Dr. Arockiaraj, SJ, Principal, Loyola College, highlighted the relevance and influence of the iconic college through stating Education World ranked it the fourth best among all autonomous colleges in India, and India Today accorded sixth rank to its commerce, computer application and business administration programmes in a highly competitive educational eco-system. Rev.

Dr. Arockiaraj also spoke about the inclusive nature of the college, given its consistent record of empowering economically marginalised youth. “In terms of inclusion, Loyola has a special preference for tribals, migrants, the differently abled and first-generation learners in our admission policies,” he said, adding that Loyolites find job placements in prestigious organisations such as Deloitte, Goldman Sachs, McKinsey & Company and Standard Chartered Bank.

Dr. Kandhari expressed pride in being part of an institution ranked among India's top 10 colleges. He noted that the book reflects this pride and contains heartfelt tributes from generations of students whose lives were shaped by Loyola College.

Dr. Karim Seghir, Chancellor of Ajman University, expressed pleasure in collaborating with Loyola College. He said this partnership strengthens academic ties between the UAE and India and offers valuable international engagement opportunities for students and faculty.

The event also saw the signing of strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with several institutions, including Ajman University, Al Dobowi Group, Skyline University College, and the University of Dubai. These partnerships aim to open new avenues for students and faculty through cross-cultural exchanges and collaborative research.

Rohit Raina, Group CEO of Al Dobowi Group, stated: "It is with great pleasure that we formalise this partnership between Al Dobowi and Loyola College Autonomous." He added that this agreement embodies their shared vision of advancing educational excellence.

Prof. Mohammad In'airat from Skyline University College signed an MoU on behalf of his institution. He expressed excitement about potential collaborative programmes that will enhance learning experiences for students and faculty.

Chess Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand addressed the audience via a video recording: "I'm honoured to join you in celebrating International Loyola Alumni Day and the centenary book launch in Dubai." He congratulated the organisers for hosting this historic event and highlighted Loyola College's role in shaping lives.

Tennis legend Vijay Amritraj shared his sentiments: "I'm deeply honoured to be part of this historic celebration." He reminisced about discovering his passion at Loyola College and building lifelong friendships there.

Murali M P, President of Loyola Alumni UAE Chapter, reflected on his time as a student 32 years ago. He felt nostalgic about unforgettable moments spent with friends on campus and praised alumni achievements worldwide.

Christy Vijayan Paul, General Secretary of Loyola Alumni UAE Chapter, spoke about the chapter's growth since its inception in 2017 with just 100 members. Today, it boasts over 700 members who actively participate in various initiatives like Iftar meal box distribution at labour camps.

The event underscored Loyola College's enduring legacy as an educational institution committed to excellence and inclusivity. It also highlighted the strong sense of community among its alumni worldwide.