UKHRUL, October 12: The five-day Annual College Week 2026 of St. Joseph College, Ukhrul, began on Monday with Ukhrul deputy commissioner Uppuluri Chaitanya declaring the event open at the college campus in Hunphun village.
Addressing the inaugural function, Chaitanya encouraged students to make the most of college life by participating in academic and extracurricular activities, saying the experience helps build leadership, teamwork and problem-solving skills.
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He described college as a space where students interact with people from different communities, backgrounds and faiths, learn to work together and explore their potential before taking on the responsibilities of professional and family life.
Chaitanya said extracurricular activities, cultural programmes and sports complement classroom learning by giving students opportunities to organise events, coordinate with others and handle challenges. He urged students to take an active part in the college week rather than remain spectators.
In his welcome address, college principal Fr Dr Parvis John said college week was an integral part of education, offering lessons in leadership, discipline, creativity, teamwork and perseverance beyond the classroom.
He encouraged students to participate in the competitions in the spirit of sportsmanship and uphold the college’s values of integrity, responsibility, mutual respect and service.
Introducing the chief guest, Fr. Dr Parvis John highlighted Chaitanya’s achievement in clearing the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2021 with an All India Rank of 470. He said the deputy commissioner’s journey could inspire students to pursue their ambitions with dedication.
The inaugural programme featured a choreographic performance by students of Classes XI and XII to the hymn “Holy Forever”, followed by a solo rendition of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Nimyophy Mahung, a seventh-semester history student.
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The ceremony also included an oath-taking event for the four competing college houses — Vikings, Olympians, Spartans and Samurai — led by Ringam Rungsung.
Competitions on the opening day included flag presentation, western and cultural dance, choir, solo, duet and trio singing, and extempore speech.
According to the organising committee, literary competitions are scheduled for the second day, followed by three days of indoor and outdoor sports, including basketball, volleyball and football. The college week is scheduled to conclude later this week.