January 2026
NCC Cadets participate in the road safety rally
On 6th January 2026, NCC cadets of St. Vincent College, Pune, led by Dr. Yogesh Mate (ANO, Librarian, and SDO), participated in a city-level Road Safety Rally organized at Shri Shahu Maharaj College from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. The rally aimed to raise public awareness on traffic rules, helmet use, and accident prevention. The procession followed a route from Shri Shahu Maharaj College via Parwati Police Station to Gajanan Maharaj Chowk and back. A Police Sub-Inspector and traffic personnel supervised the event, ensuring safety and protocol adherence. Cadets turned out in large numbers, displaying discipline and unity while chanting slogans like “Helmet ghala, apghat tala” to promote responsible road behaviour. The rally concluded peacefully and on schedule, reflecting strong coordination among organizers, police, and participants. This initiative highlighted the NCC’s commitment to social responsibility and public service, reinforcing St. Vincent College’s mission to nurture civically engaged youth.
Career Katta programme held at Baramati
St. Vincent College of Commerce, Pune, witnessed enthusiastic and substantial student participation in the Career Katta programme held at Baramati from 3rd to 5th January 2026. Under the coordination of Mr. Radhakrishna Tange and presentation by Mr. Vedant Wagh, students actively immersed themselves in a structured schedule comprising daily 6 a.m. podcast sessions, evening interactive discussions, and intensive guidance lectures spanning 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Day 2.
The highlight of student involvement was the hands-on practical training at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Baramati during Days 3–5, where participants gained experiential knowledge in agri-entrepreneurship through field visits covering bee-keeping, fish farming, and poultry management. Students further showcased their learning through Career Parliament sessions featuring idea presentations, EQ Club activities fostering leadership and teamwork, and competitive events including group discussions, quizzes, and solo/film presentations. All participants received certificates upon completion, having gained valuable exposure to career planning, agri-based business models, digital skills, and self-employment opportunities. The programme significantly enhanced students’ confidence, communication abilities, and entrepreneurial mindset, with their experiences amplified through media coverage on Instagram, YouTube, and local newspapers—reflecting the event’s success in bridging academic learning with real-world career readiness.
Annual Sport Meet
St. Vincent College successfully conducted its Annual Sports Meet from 10th to 20th January 2026, celebrating athleticism, teamwork, and holistic student development across a vibrant ten-day schedule. The event featured a mix of outdoor and indoor competitions, including basketball, football, cricket, and the spirited tug-of-war, alongside strategic indoor games such as table tennis, chess, and carrom. The event was expertly coordinated by faculty members Mr. Ignatius Peter and Mr. Milind Gaikwad.
The meet provided students from diverse academic streams an opportunity to showcase their sporting talents, build camaraderie, and embrace the values of discipline, fair play, and perseverance—principles deeply aligned with the college’s Ignatian commitment to cura personalis (care for the whole person). Enthusiastic participation, cheering spectators, and moments of both triumph and gracious sportsmanship marked the atmosphere throughout the fortnight.
Fr. Dr. Anish Kochanichottil, SJ Assumes Directorship of St. Vincent College
On 12th January 2026, Rev. Fr. Dr. Anish Kochanichottil, SJ formally assumed office as the new Director of St. Vincent College, Pune, succeeding Fr. Dr. Kenneth Misquitta, SJ. The transition marks a new chapter in the institution’s leadership under the Jesuit educational tradition.
Fr. Dr. Kochanichottil brings a distinguished academic and administrative profile to his role. A Jesuit priest with over a decade of dedicated service in school education, he holds a doctorate in Education with specialized research in Critical Pedagogy and Missionary Education. Complementing his educational expertise, he has also currently pursuing an MBA from Creighton University, USA, equipping him with robust management perspectives essential for contemporary higher education leadership.
His scholarly focus on critical pedagogy and commitment to mission-driven education align closely with St. Vincent College’s Ignatian ethos and its dedication to forming intellectually competent, compassionate, and justice-oriented graduates. The college community extends its warm welcome to Fr. Director and looks forward to his visionary leadership in advancing academic excellence, institutional growth, and the Jesuit mission of service rooted in faith.
NSS Winter Camp
St. Vincent College of Commerce successfully conducted its annual NSS Winter Camp from 20th –26th January, 2026, at Shindewadi, Taluka Bhor, Zilla Pune in alignment with Savitribai Phule Pune University’s community engagement calendar. The winter camp brought together NSS volunteers from the college for immersive service-learning experiences focused on rural development, social awareness, and nation-building activities. Each day commenced with disciplined morning routines at 6:00 a.m., followed by structured sessions on community health, environmental conservation, literacy drives, and civic education. Volunteers actively participated in village adoption programmes, conducting health check-ups, sanitation campaigns, and awareness workshops on government welfare schemes in collaboration with local Krishi Vigyan Kendra and panchayat authorities. Evening reflection sessions enabled students to document their experiences and discuss social challenges observed during field engagements. The camp culminated in a valedictory ceremony where volunteers presented community impact reports and received participation certificates. Through this initiative, students gained a deeper understanding of grassroots realities—reinforcing the NSS motto of “Not Me, But You” while contributing meaningfully to sustainable community development in the adopted villages.
Republic Day Celebrations and NCC parade at St. Vincent College
St. Vincent College commemorated the 77th Republic Day of India with solemn reverence and patriotic fervour on 26th January 2026. The celebrations commenced with a dignified flag unfurling ceremony presided over by Principal Dr. Anil Adsule and Director Fr. Dr. Anish K., S.J., who hoisted the national tricolour amidst the resonant strains of the national anthem.
A highlight of the event was the impressive parade march performed by the college’s newly constituted National Cadet Corps (NCC) unit, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s commitment to fostering discipline, leadership, and national integration among students. The parade was expertly coordinated under the guidance of Associate NCC Officer (ANO) Dr. Yogesh Mate, whose leadership has been instrumental in establishing this vital student wing.
The ceremony concluded with the recitation of the national pledge and a message underscoring the values enshrined in the Indian Constitution—justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. The event not only honoured India’s democratic legacy but also reinforced St. Vincent College’s dedication to nurturing responsible citizenship grounded in constitutional values and service to the nation.
Community Engagement Program
On 28th January 2026, St. Vincent College organized a community engagement program for its S.Y.B.Com students at Koregaon Bhima village, fulfilling the experiential learning mandate under the National Education Policy 2020 as directed by Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU). The initiative provided students with immersive exposure to grassroots development through a collaborative partnership with The SCOPE (Society for Community Organisation and Progressive education), Pune, Maharashtra, led by Mr. Vishwas Chakranarayan.
Under his guidance, students gained first-hand insights into two pivotal rural empowerment models: biogas technology implementation for sustainable energy and waste management, and the functioning of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) fostering financial inclusion and women-led entrepreneurship.
Through direct interaction with villagers and SCOPE field coordinators, the commerce students explored practical applications of microfinance, livelihood diversification, and community-led sustainability—concepts deeply aligned with their academic curriculum in rural economics and corporate social responsibility. The visit successfully bridged theoretical classroom learning with on-ground social realities, reinforcing the college’s commitment to nurturing socially aware, ethically grounded future professionals in accordance with NEP’s vision of education rooted in community engagement and national development.
Samarthya
On 31st January, 2026, AICUF students from St. Vincent College, accompanied by faculty and management, participated in a leadership formation workshop at De Nobili College, Pune. Facilitated by Br. Abraham Clinton and Br. Ronal—Brothers in formation for priesthood—the session employed experiential learning to explore authentic leadership. Participants engaged in two collaborative art exercises: one using paint and another with crayons, each designed to demonstrate how individual contributions, when harmonized with empathy and shared purpose, create collective excellence. These activities underscored leadership as stewardship rather than authority—emphasizing listening, adaptability, and the humility to build with others.
Br. Abraham enriched the reflection with an analogy comparing leadership to gold: both are refined through fire, purified through challenge, and valued for enduring integrity rather than external display. This insight framed subsequent psychological exercises that invited students to examine their leadership dispositions, emotional awareness, and capacity for compassionate engagement. The workshop concluded with participants embracing a renewed vision of leadership rooted in service—a perspective deeply aligned with Ignatian values. Returning to campus, the delegation committed to animating AICUF activities with greater intentionality, fostering a culture of collaborative leadership grounded in justice and solidarity.