Month: July 2024

The Summary Report of

The IUS south Asia continental conference and workshop

of for the Rectors, Principals and Directors of the Salesian Higher Education institutions

Citadel, Chennai 28^th November – 2^nd December 2022.

The IUS South Asia continental conference and workshop for Rectors, Principals, and Directors of Salesian Higher Education Institutions was held from November 28th to December 2nd, 2022 at Citadel, Chennai. The five-day event’s theme was Salesian Leadership in Higher Education Ministry.

Fr. Januarius Sangma SDB, the Provincial in charge of the DBHEI, presided over the conference’s inaugural Holy Mass. Fr Januarius prayed for the conference’s effectiveness and encouraged participants to be Don Bosco-style educators. The participants specifically prayed for Rev. Fr Thaddeus SDB, the secretary of DBHEI, who was unable to attend due to illness.

Rev. Fr Januarius S Sangma SDB, Provincial of ING, Rev. Fr K M Jose SDB, Provincial of INM, Fr Michal Vojtas SDB, Professor, UPS Rome, and Dr. Sundar C Raman, an alumnus of DB School Egmore, presided over the official inauguration of the conference at 9.00 a.m. In his speech, Dr. Raman recalled the personal attention of love and value-based education he received at Don Bosco and urged the participants to be such educators, imbuing the students’ values of ethics and compassion. Fr Maria Anthony Raj SDB, Principal, Sacred Heart College, Tirupattur, presented the dynamics of the five-day workshop before the beginning of the first session.

Fr Joe Arun SJ, Director LIBA, spoke on “Higher Education in the Global Context” in the conference’s first session. Fr Joe encouraged everyone to have a change of heart and a more global perspective in order to offer our services internationally. The higher education delegate from each province presented initiatives and best practices in each province during the first day’s post-noon session.

Rev. Fr Oscar Lozano SDB, IUS General Coordinator from Rome, addressed the day’s final session online. He emphasized the Salesian world of higher education’s policies, common programs, and pastoral reflections. The first day concluded with evening prayer and dinner.

Rev. Fr K M Jose SDB, the provincial of INM, presided over the Holy Eucharist on the second day in the morning. He challenged the Salesians to be personification of love to the youngsters. Fr. John Alexander SDB, Rector of Sacred Heart College, Tirupattur, delivered the conference’s fourth session. His presentation focused on the Church’s Identity and Mission in Higher Education Institutions. In the following morning session, Dr Michal Vojtas SDB, professor UPS, spoke on the Preventive System in Salesian Higher Education. His talk was renamed Criteria for Salesian Higher Education to avoid the negative connotation of the word preventive.

Fr Joe Andrew SDB, Rector Beatitudes, Vyasarpadi, spoke about Campus Ministry at the IUS in the afternoon session. Following the session, participants shared their campus ministry experiences from various provinces. Special awards were presented to selected faculty and students during the day’s final session. Fr Joy Ullattil SDB, Principal of DB College Mannuthy, presided over the session. Three of the top awards were given to student teams for their innovative ideas from a pool of more than 100 entries, and three faculty members were also recognized for their innovative pedagogical methods. An external jury evaluated both entries. The participants visited Don Bosco School Egmore in the evening of the second day and interacted with the SDBs there. After a sumptuous dinner at Don Bosco Egmore, Salesians played a friendly futsal match among them and returned home.

Rev. Fr Michal Vojtas SDB presided over the holy mass on the third day and later presented the first session of the day, titled “Salesian Leadership and Project Management: General Framework for Higher Education Institutions”. Dr. T. Armugam, VC Thiruvallur University, spoke on the Core Functions and Activities of Higher Education Institutions: Manage or Excel? Dr. Arumugam challenged Salesian educators to excel in education and administration rather than simply managing them. In the following session, Fr Edwin George SDB, Rector of DB College, Dharmapuri, highlighted the “Academic Community’s Role as the Subject of the Salesian Mission at IUS”. The group discussion at the end of the presentation summarized the key points of the presented topic.

Rev. Oscar Lozano SDB from Rome addressed the final session of the third day online. The theme of the session was University Today: Validity, Challenges, and Perspectives – An Educational Pastoral Perspective.

Fr. K O Sebastian SDB, Principal of Don Bosco College Maram, presided over the inaugural mass on December 1, 2022. Fr Francis P Xavier SJ, Rector of Loyola College, Chennai, animated us on the Human Resources and Administrative Financial Management.             Fr Francis emphasized the importance of having a well-defined organizational structure with coordination and leadership during his session. At our HEI, he proposed a synodal approach that balanced the three pillars of Human Resources, Financial Management, and Administrative Management.

Prof. Samuel Johnson K, Centre for Teaching and Learning VIT- AP University, led the second session of the day, which focused on “Digital Transformation in HEI: Need, Strategies, and Tools”. At Zero budgeting, the session focused on making technology affordable. The delegates spent the afternoon at Loyola College in Chennai. The college’s management and staff were on hand to greet us and show us around the campus. Visits to the main campus, the engineering college, and the Institute of Business Administration took up the majority of the time (LIBA). After watching a video about LIBA, the participants interacted with the college administration. The group then went to Santhome Cathedral Church. and then to St. Bede’s Anglo-Indian HS for dinner.

Fr. Robert Simon SDB, Vice President DBYA-SA, celebrated the Holy Eucharist to start the conference’s final day. Fr. Simon urged the attendees to make all of our institutions a place where youth are welcomed and transformed accordance to the spirit of DB. Instead of Dr. BS Ponmudiraj, Advisor NAAC, who was busy with an official visit, Dr. Xavier Mahimairaj, IQAC Coordinator at Loyola College, Chennai, took the first session on the final day. Dr. Xavier elaborated on the frameworks for evaluating and accrediting institutions of higher education both as they exist today and as they are proposed to be in the future.

Dr. Henry Rosario, Director of Exodus Consulting, discussed the Institutional Development Plan (IDP) in his subsequent presentation. Dr. Henry outlined the requirements specific to the Salesians Higher Education ministry in his presentation on IDP, which he structured in accordance with those of the national regulatory bodies.

Fr. Robert Simon SDB presided over the conference’s final session, which covered the conference’s future in light of the IUS Policy directives communicated at the General Assembly in Rome in 2022. The instructions were divided into four categories: Policy Implementation, Campus Ministry, Options for the Underprivileged, and increased networking and cooperation between the institutes. Each participant focused on a different one of the four themes as they were discussed. In light of the conference, the groups also discussed general directions for DBHEI institutes going forward.

Following that, as per the agenda, a general body meeting was held, presided over by Fr. Robert Simon, vice president of DBYA. The assembly heard the report from the previous general body meeting in 2021 and approved it. Plans of action for the future were put forth and discussed.

The election of the executive members came next. The positions were up for election because Fr. Wilfred Fernandez SDB, INP, and Fr. Joy Ullatil SDB, INK, were nearing the end of their second terms as executive members. Despite the fact that Fr. Thaddeus had only served his first term as secretary, the assembly decided that he could be removed from the position because of his poor health. The outgoing executive members were replaced by Fr. Joby Joseph SDB (INS), Fr. Johnson Ponthempilly SDB (INK), and Fr. Joaquim Lobo SDB (INP) as the new executive members. Fr. Joby Joseph SDB (INS), secretary; Fr. K. O. Sebastian SDB (IND), treasurer; Fr. Beevan Mukhim SDB (ING), Fr. Joaquim Lobo SDB (INP), and Fr. Johnson Ponthempilly SDB (INK), were elected as the members of the new executive team.

Fr. Robert expressed his gratitude to Fr. Thaddeus for bringing DBHEI to higher levels of performance and recognition, and he thanked and congratulated the departing executive members for their years of loyal service. He also prayed for Fr. Thaddeus’ quick recovery. The group thanked and praised Fr Maria Antony Raj SDB, Principal of Sacred Heart College in Tirupattur, for successfully organizing and leading the five-day conference in Fr Thaddeus SDB’s absence. Fr. Robert Simon SDB, Vice President, expressed gratitude to the planning team on behalf of the conference. Mr. Valan P, Assistant Professor at Don Bosco College, Yelagiri, was responsible for setting up and managing the event. The gathering also expressed gratitude to the Citadel Community for all of its assistance in organizing and managing the meeting. At 5:30 PM, the meeting came to a close with a hymn to Don Bosco.

Prepared by

Rev. Joby Joseph SDB Ph.D.

Rector, St Anthony’s College, Shillong

Don Bosco Higher Education in India (DBHEI)
Annual Conference and General Body Meeting
November 10-12, 2023

Introduction

The Don Bosco Higher Education India (DBHEI) Annual Conference and General Body Meeting was held at NBCLC Bangalore from November 10-12, 2023. The conference was attended by 56 Salesians and three faculty members. This includes the president of DBHEI, Rev. Dr Fr. Januarius S. Sangma sdb the Provincial in charge, Rev. Dr. Fr P.D. Johny sdb, the vice president to DBHEI, Rev. Dr. Fr Joby Joseph sdb, National Secretary DBHEI, the executive members along with Directors, Rectors, Principals, iceprincipals and faculty from DBHEI institutions across India. The three days’ conference was to focus on the two themes of: Fostering Entrepreneurship and Start-up Culture on Campuses and Educating the Young to Social Responsibility

Day 1

The conference commenced with a Holy Mass presided over by Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore. In his homily, Archbishop Machado acknowledged the significant contributions of the Salesians in the field of higher education and urged them to continue emulating the example of the Good Samaritan by going the extra mile for the poor and the marginalized.

The inaugural session of the conference took place at 9:30 AM. Rev. Fr. Januarius S. Sangma sdb, the president of DBHEI, delivered the inaugural address, emphasizing the need to uphold the values that underpin DBHEI institutions. Rev. Fr Shalbin Kalanchery sdb, the Vice Provincial of the host province, formally welcomed all the delegates of the Annual Conference to the Salesian Province of Bangalore. Rev Fr. Dr. Johnson Ponthempilly sdb, the DBHEI National Conference Organizing Secretary, delivered the initiation address on the dynamics of the event. The video messages from Rev Dr. Biju Michael sdb, Regional of South Asia and Rev Dr Oscar Lozano, IUS Director were presented. In their message to the participants, they acknowledged the role of DBHEI in shaping the role of youth through higher education.

In his address, Fr Biju Michael sdb, called on the participants to bring into higher education the Salesian Elements and make the learning socially committed and open to entrepreneur skills in keeping with the theme of the event.

The first day’s opening session was on “Fostering Entrepreneurship and Startup Culture on Campuses” by Mr. Thejus Joseph, Interim CEO of FiiRE, Goa. Mr. Joseph encouraged DBHEI institutions to identify and nurture talented students with entrepreneurial potential. The session was followed by a group discussion and presentation on the challenges and opportunities on the theme action plans were drawn up for the way ahead. In the afternoon, the group made a visit to Viswadeep Community and Kristu Jyothi College in K R Puram and had the evening tea there. It was followed by a visit to Don Bosco College where they had an interactive session with Dr Aloysius Edward, the IQAC coordinator of Kristu Jayanthi College, Bangalore. Dr Edward presented the challenges and opportunities posed by the new education policy. This was followed by an evening where the students and faculty of the college entertained the participants with a cultural fiesta. The participants then paid visit to Don Bosco college and witnessed the A Report exhibition on Indian Knowledge System by the students. This was followed by a sumptuous dinner sponsored by the Don Bosco College.

Day 2

The second day of the conference began with the Holy Mass presided over by Rev. Dr. Jose Koyikal sdb, Provincial of the Salesian Province of Bengaluru. In his homily, Rev. Dr. Koyikal emphasized the importance of a holistic formation of young people and the need to entrust them to the care of Our Blessed Mother.

Immediately after breakfast, the delegates were on a guided campus tour to Christ Deemed to be
University, Bengaluru. The interactive sessions with Pro-Vice-Chancellor Rev. Dr. Viju Pynadath and the
Deans of different academic streams in the university broadened the vision of higher education ministry
and offered the needed framework for responding proactively to the ongoing challenges in the field. The
loyalty and attachment of the lay staff in Christ University was noteworthy. The visits to the state-of-theart auditorium and the Centre for Social Action (CSA) of the University also provided some novel ideas for revamping our institutions with a wider vision.

The afternoon session by Dr. Anil Joseph Pinto, Registrar of Christ University, focused on the theme of “Educating Our Young to Social Responsibility.” Dr. Pinto stressed the importance of instilling in students a sense of social responsibility and making our learning service oriented. The groups discussed the theme and summed up in a general presentation the action plans for the way ahead. The delegates then left to Don Bosco Provincial house Bangalore and then for a dinner sponsored by the Lingarajapuram parish community.

Day 3

The third day of the conference commenced with a Holy Mass presided over by Rev. Fr. Januarius S. Sangma sdb. In his homily, Rev. Fr. Sangma emphasized the significance of Don Bosco’s pedagogical journey of love and education. The participants came together according to provinces to discuss and draw
up province-specific action plans in keeping to the two themes of the event. This was followed by a general discussion and drawing up of common action plans for DBHEI. Fr George Mathew sdb, on behalf of Bosco Tech India presented various courses and opportunities available for skilling the youth.

In the general body meeting post lunch of DBHEI was convened and was presided over by the President, Fr Januarius S Sangma sdb, Fr Dr P D Johny sdb, Vice President to DBHEI, Fr Dr Joby Joseph sdb, Secretary, Fr Dr K O Sebastian sdb, the treasurer and the executive members Fr Dr Johnson Ponthenpilly sdb, Fr Beevan R Mukhim sdb and Joaquim Lobo sdb and attended by all the delegates. After the roll call, Rev Dr. Fr Joby Joseph sdb, the secretary of DBHEI presented the minutes of the previous AGM and was passed with minor corrections. The annual report submitted to SPCI was presented by Fr Joaquim Lobo sdb. Subsequently, Rev Dr K.O. Sebastian sdb, treasurer DBHEI, presented the financial report of the year past and was passed with clarifications. Rev Dr Johnson Ponthempilly sdb, the general coordinator, presented a report on the three days’ conference of 2023.

Action plans, both short-term and long-term presented by the secretary, were approved by the assembly (Attached as Annexure). Some additional points of discussion also came up in the AGM. Certificates of participation were distributed by the President. Rev Dr Joby Joseph sdb Secretary, DBHEI, proposed the vote of thanks. The general body was concluded and closed at 12:30 pm with a hymn to Don Bosco. The participants departed for lunch and most left to their home institutions on the same day and few in the day after.

Key Takeaways from the Conference

• The importance of upholding the values that underpin DBHEI institutions
• The importance of fostering entrepreneurship and start-up culture in our set ups.
• The holistic formation of young people
• The importance of instilling in students a sense of social responsibility and making our learning service oriented.

Conclusion

The Don Bosco Higher Education India Annual Conference and General Body Meeting conducted in the province of Bangalore, was a resounding success. It provided a platform for Salesians from across India to gather, share and learn their best practices in higher education, and thus to provide quality education to young people. The conference served as a catalyst for renewed commitment and with focus to foster the spirit of entrepreneurship, social responsibility, and holistic formation in their students.