St. Martinus University Marks 25 Years of Excellence with White Coat Ceremony in Willemstad, Curaçao

Willemstad, Curaçao: St. Martinus University (SMU) marked a historic milestone as it celebrated 25 years of leadership and excellence in medical education alongside its annual White Coat Ceremony, held at the Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort. The event began promptly at 7 p.m., welcoming distinguished guests, faculty, students, alumni, parents, and community leaders.

Opening Ceremony
The evening commenced with a warm welcome and keynote address by Dr. Danna Soria, Vice Chancellor of St. Martinus University, who reflected on SMU’s remarkable 25-year journey and the collective efforts that have shaped its success. She commended the dedication of faculty, staff, and board members whose vision continues to drive the university’s mission of “Educating Tomorrow’s Physicians.”

Dr. Soria also warmly acknowledged the presence of parents who traveled from across the world — including the United States, United Kingdom, India, and other countries — to witness their children’s proud moment of donning the white coat. Their participation symbolized the deep global connection and family support that strengthens the SMU community.

Distinguished Guests and Board of Directors:
Among those in attendance were members of the Board of Directors — Mr. Jay Talluri (Chairman), Mr. Harish Koya, Mr. Niranjan Srungavarapu, Mr. Prakash Gera, and Mr. Viswanath Nayunipati — all recognized for their invaluable contributions to the university’s governance and growth. They have been instrumental in fostering SMU’s academic development, research initiatives, and community partnerships.

Additionally, CEO Mr. Shrini Sajja and Board Members Mr. Suresh Puttagunta, Mr. Naveen Ale, Mr. Venkat Krishna Kurra, and Mrs. Radhika Kattragadda, though unable to attend, extended their warm wishes and heartfelt congratulations on the 25th Anniversary Silver Jubilee Celebrations of St. Martinus University. Their ongoing support and guidance continue to play a vital role in shaping SMU’s success and vision for the future.

Furthermore, Honorable Minister Sithree “Cey” van Heydoorn, Minister of Education, Science, Culture & Sports of Curaçao, though unable to attend in person, sent a congratulatory message to the SMU leadership and extended his warm wishes to the entire team on the occasion of its 25th Anniversary. He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the university’s continued growth and contribution to higher education in Curaçao.

Chief Guest Address
The Chief Guest, Dr. Sirving Keli, Inspector-General of Public Health, reflected on his long association with SMU, recalling his teaching contributions dating back to 2006. He congratulated the leadership and faculty for transforming the institution into one of the Caribbean’s leading medical schools and reaffirmed his admiration for its ongoing progress.

Following him, Mr. Jagdish Mirpuri, Honorary Consul of India for Curaçao, delivered an inspirational address celebrating SMU’s 25-year legacy. He lauded the institution’s commitment to academic excellence, diversity, and student success, highlighting the university’s global reputation and extending his continued support to advance Indo-Curaçao educational and cultural relations.

Board of Directors’ Commitment
Representing the Board, Mr. Jay Talluri, Chairman of the Board and global entrepreneur, founder of Hallmark Global Technologies, known for his philanthropic involvement in education and innovation initiatives, congratulated the new cohort of medical students receiving their white coats.

He emphasized discipline, time management, and compassion as core values for success in medicine. Mr. Talluri reiterated the Board’s steadfast commitment to the “Students-First Mission,” commended the leadership team for SMU’s outstanding academic progress in recent years, and proudly announced that the new SMU Campus Project is underway — a transformative development to further elevate the university’s academic environment.

Honorary Doctorate Award
In a highlight moment, Dr. Murali Ginjupalli, Chancellor of St. Martinus University, conferred an Honorary Doctorate upon Mr. Kamendra Devidas Dahat, a renowned educational expert and author of several motivational books. Mr. Dahat has inspired generations of students through his academic excellence, leadership training, and literary contributions, earning admiration as a mentor dedicated to youth empowerment and lifelong learning.

Student Leadership and Community Engagement
Student leaders Akhila Munishi (President, AMSA) and Zubaidha Asharaf (President, SGA) addressed the gathering, outlining their organizations’ community-based outreach programs such as local health fairs, educational workshops, and volunteer initiatives. They expressed gratitude to faculty advisors and student members for their active participation and commitment to public service.

Alumni Mentorship and Inspiration
The ceremony also featured Dr. Prakrut Manish Sethi, a recent alumnus (2021 – 2025), who returned to SMU as an Academic Advisor to mentor students preparing for the NBME CBSE and USMLE examinations. Dr. Sethi delivered a motivational speech highlighting his journey from student to mentor, sharing how determination and perseverance guided him to this achievement as he awaits his Residency Match 2026. His message of focus and resilience resonated deeply with the students and faculty alike.

Faculty Achievements
Two SMU faculty members were honored for their recent professional accomplishments:
– Dr. Ferhan Saleem, Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology / ITR
– Dr. Anand Chaudhary, Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry
Both have received their licenses to practice medicine on the island of Curaçao — a testament to their dedication and academic excellence. SMU extended its congratulations to both faculty members and announced plans to launch the SMU Primary Health Care Clinic in the coming months, further strengthening its community service and training mission.

Presentation of White Coats
The prestigious White Coat Ceremony was conducted by a distinguished panel of professionals and community leaders:
– Dr. Sirving Keli, MD — Inspector-General of Public Health
– Dr. Iyves Schoop — Family Medicine Practitioner and Former Member of Parliament of Curaçao
– Mrs. Feiijdi Ayibi — Senior Policy Officer, Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports
– Mr. Jagdish Mirpuri — Honorary Consul of India for Curaçao
– Dr. Ravikishor Reddy Vintha — Dean of Academic Affairs, St. Martinus University
– Dr. Earley Elshot-Sadjo — Respected Academic Leader and Former Dean of SMU Faculty of Medicine
– Dr. E. R. Lichtveld — Esteemed Curaçao Medical Professional and Community Health Advocate

Each dignitary personally welcomed the students into the noble profession of medicine, symbolizing compassion, responsibility, and lifelong dedication to healing. Prof. Jose Mendoza, Dean of Student Affairs, then led the newly coated medical students in reciting the Hippocratic Oath, marking their formal entry into the medical profession.

Recognizing Our Key Stakeholders — “Building Stronger Together”
At St. Martinus University, our presence in Curaçao is strengthened by meaningful collaborations with local institutions and community partners. We extend our sincere appreciation to our key stakeholders whose representatives attended the celebration and continue to support our shared mission of education, health, and social responsibility:

Banko di Seguro Sosial / Sociale Verzekeringsbank (Social Insurance Bank), KLM Curaçao, Laboratorio De Med de Médicos Curaçao, Lions International Curaçao, Guardian Group Curaçao, Magusa Hypermarket Curaçao, Arbo Consult Curaçao, Sambil Shopping Mall Curaçao, Curaçao Dolphin Therapy and Research Center, Onderlingehulp Curaçao, and Courtyard Marriott Curaçao.

SMU thanks these partners for their collaboration and continued trust in advancing educational excellence and community health initiatives across the island.

Alumni Reflections and Closing Ceremony
Adding to the celebrations, SMU alumni from across North America, Europe, India, and the Caribbean sent congratulatory messages, sharing reflections from their own residency experiences and expressing pride in SMU’s growth. Their inspiring words reminded current students of the university’s lasting legacy and international reach.

In his closing address, Dr. Murali Ginjupalli, Chancellor of St. Martinus University, extended heartfelt appreciation to the guests, alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and collaborators for their unwavering commitment. He praised the Board for its visionary leadership and officially unveiled the architectural plans for SMU’s new state-of-the-art campus, marking a bold new chapter in the university’s growth and innovation.

About St. Martinus University
Founded in 2000 and accredited by AAEPO (WFME-recognized), St. Martinus University Faculty of Medicine has spent 25 years preparing globally competent physicians committed to serving humanity. With a strong record of residency placements, academic rigor, and community engagement, SMU continues to uphold its legacy as one of the Caribbean’s most respected medical institutions.