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Fr. George Thadathil Addresses Global Challenges in Higher Education at the Acton University 2025 Conference

(Grand Rapids, Michigan) – Fr. George Thadathil, general coordinator of the IUS network, participated at Acton University 2025, one of the world’s leading forums on theology, economics, and human flourishing. Held annually in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the four-day event brings together over 1,000 participants from more than 80 countries, creating a vibrant intellectual space for dialogue across disciplines and cultures.

On June 24, the second day of the conference, Fr. Thadathil addressed Asian Participants on the topic: “Contemporary Challenges and Prospects in Higher Education,” focusing on the evolving landscape of global education.

Fr. Thadathil’s participation also extended to a special gathering hosted by the Acton Institute to recognize and connect leaders committed to advancing freedom and virtue and beyond. Organizers expressed deep gratitude for all participants “We are grateful for your work and stand ready to support your efforts in advancing free and virtuous societies across Europe.”

About Acton University:
More than a typical academic conference, Acton University is a globally renowned event that blends rigorous intellectual inquiry with spiritual and ethical reflection. Each year, the conference brings together thinkers and leaders from sectors as diverse as business, academia, public service, the Church, and the nonprofit world. Through a rich program of lectures, workshops, and networking events, participants explore the intersection of theology, philosophy, entrepreneurship, development, and market-based economics—all grounded in the pursuit of a free and flourishing society.

The event’s core mission is to connect moral and religious principles with economic and personal liberty, equipping participants with the tools to become agents of transformation in their communities.

In a follow-up message, Acton University organizers wrote: “We hope to see you back in Grand Rapids next year – and we look forward to continuing our shared pursuit of a free, virtuous, and flourishing world.”

Fr. George was also invited to the European Delegates Forum on 25 June 2025, to explore collaborations with other participants from the European Union.

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Salesian Institutions Participate in the United Board Fellows Programme 2025 at Singapore Management University

Two institutions from the IUS network, St. Anthony’s College, Shillong and Salesian College (Autonomous), India were among the participants in the United Board Fellows Programme (UBFP) 2025 Summer Leadership Institute, held from 7 to 11 July at Singapore Management University (SMU). This initiative brought together 25 academics from universities across Asia, representing countries such as India, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Laos, and Myanmar.

Hosted in the SMU Administration Building under Executive Development, the programme was designed to develop leadership capabilities in higher education through intensive sessions on strategic planning, innovation, fundraising, student campus life, and the Impact of AI on universities. The fellows, representing countries including India, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Laos, and Myanmar, stayed at Hotel Grand Pacific, with an informal welcome dinner held on 6 July at Sun’s Café.

The programme was chaired by Dr Pareena Gupta Lawrence, President, United Board, and directed by Prof David Gomulya, with Ms Roma Goodlander serving as Client Director and Ms Shannon Pang as Programme Manager. Fellows benefited from the support and guidance of Dr Jakarin Srimoon, Director of Leadership Development, and Mr Bo Bo Lwin, Programme Officer, Asia and Leadership Development, both of the United Board. Participants engaged in sessions led by distinguished academicians from top Singaporean institutions, including the Singapore Management University, National University of Singapore and the Singapore Institute of Technology. The programme strengthened professional networks and inspired ethical, innovative leadership in higher education. The final graduation ceremony was held on 11 July. The programme was a resounding success, marked by vibrant interactions, shared insights, and deep professional bonding among the fellows. Guided and spontaneous city tours in the evenings further enriched the experience, fostering cultural exchange and lasting collegial friendships.

Representing the Salesian network were Fr. Joby Joseph SDB, Campus Minister and Vice Principal of St. Anthony’s College, Shillong, and Mr. Peter Lepcha, UB Fellow for the 2025–2026 cohort from Salesian College (Autonomous), Darjeeling

About the program
The United Board Fellows Program is designed to answer the needs of leadership development for mid-career faculty and administrators from Asian colleges and universities. Through this program, the United Board develops dynamic leaders committed to the advancement of whole person education and building strong and resilient academic institutions. Since 2002, over 320 Fellows from 80 institutions in 12 countries and regions of Asia have been selected for this program, and many have played important leadership roles in their home institutions and beyond.

This one-year experience features a unique higher education leadership development experience, with three main components – an intensive week-long summer institute; a one-to-four-month placement, or a two-week study trip in Asia; and a final seminar. Fellows have opportunities to learn about:

• Styles of leadership, organizational structure, and educational management;
• Alternative pedagogical styles to enrich their own teaching;
• Developments in their academic fields; and
• Self-care, ethics, and spiritual nurturance.

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Pongal Celebrations

The Pongal celebrations at don Bosco college were a grand success, with active participation from students and faculty members. The event promoted cultural awareness, unity, and teamwork among the college community

Events and Activities
1. Pongal Cooking Competition: Students participated in a Pongal cooking competition, showcasing their culinary skills. The judges were impressed by the variety of dishes prepared.
2. Traditional Dance Performances: Students performed traditional dances like Bharatanatyam and Folk dance, mesmerizing the audience with their energetic performances.
3. Rangoli Competition- A Rangoli competition was organized, where students showcased their artistic skills by creating intricate designs using colored powders.
4. Pongal Puja- A traditional Pongal Puja was performed, invoking the blessings of the Sun God and the Goddess of Prosperity.

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Tourism Day

The World Tourism Day celebrations at don bosco degree college were a huge success, with active participation from students, faculty members, and guests. The event achieved its objective of raising awareness about the importance of tourism in rural development and promoting sustainable tourism practices. The college plans to continue such initiatives in the future, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of tourism among its students.

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Voters Day

National Voters Day is celebrated every year on January 25th to encourage active voter participation and raise awareness about voting rights in India. Here are the key celebrations and activities in our college

1. Distribution of EPIC Cards: Newly registered voters receive their Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) on this day
2. Awareness Campaigns: Various awareness drives are conducted across the country, focusing on voter education and registration.
3. Special Events: Public rallies, debates, and cultural programs are organized to promote the importance of voting percentage in college

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Engineering Futures – CrEAST

This program is sponsored by L&T’s CSR Department was envisioned as a platform to empower students from underprivileged backgrounds and children with learning disabilities (LD) to explore careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) through experiential learning. This initiative provides hands-on training in areas such as Lego Robotics, Electronics, Mechanical Workbenches, 3D Printing, Rapid Prototyping, Computer-Based Modeling, and Web Technologies. Additionally, soft skills training is an integral part of the program to ensure holistic development.
Our journey began in 2021, amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a pilot program for 50 students. Encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive feedback, we expanded in 2022 to 231 students, including 24 students with learning disabilities, offering seven technical courses, two advanced courses, and a mandatory soft skills program. The following year we catered to 560 students and 16 courses. This year, 528 students from seven schools participated in eight technical courses, three non-technical courses, two advanced courses, and a specialized technical course for LD students. Additionally, this year counselling sessions and psychometric tests were conducted for 333 students in grades 8, 9, and 10, in collaboration with Don Bosco Prafulta, Andheri. An impact study of our last three years of work was also conducted.

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Young Minds, Green Hearts, Tech-Savvy: Shaping a Sustainable Future

DBIT’s NSS unit conducted a beach clean-up drive at Versova Beach on January 25, 2025, in collaboration with the Afroz Shah Foundation. Over 220 volunteers participated in collecting trash and promoting environmental awareness. The event was graced by Mr. Afroz Shah, lawyer – environmental activist and Mr. Siddesh Kadam, Chairman of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board. DBIT’s NSS unit also conducted orientation sessions, participated in Euphoria 2025, and worked on the Solar Jal Jyoti project, demonstrating their commitment to social and environmental causes.

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Euphoria 2025

The vibrant and multi-faceted EUPHORIA 2025, is the annual cultural festival hosted by Don Bosco Centre for Learning, is a grand celebration of sports, talent, and camaraderie, uniting DBCL’s institutions. DBIT’s Computer Engineering Department triumphed overall, securing 17 golds and excelling in cultural events, with Verushka Fernandes and Atharva Kadam earning Best Athlete titles along with the overall Champions. The Mechanical Engineering Department captivated the audience with top performances in volleyball, javelin, and running events and ranked third. The IT Department excelled in sports, winning Box Cricket (Boys) and showcasing artistic talent in Shutter Painting and Group Dance. EXTC department dominated with wins in Box Cricket (Girls) and Kabaddi (Boys), along with victories in athletics and Chess. Overall, it was a great show of talent, skills, sportsmanship and a remarkable spirit of teamwork and camaraderie!

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Don Bosco College, Panjim collaborates with CCP for Clean-up Drive

On the morning of January 30, 2025, a beach clean-up drive was organised by Club Ecotiva of Don Bosco College, Panjim, in collaboration with the Corporation of the City of Panjim. The event took place at Campal Beach, a popular coastal area that attracts locals and tourists alike.

The clean-up drive began with volunteers gathering at the designated meeting point. Over 50 students of Don Bosco College, volunteers from the CCP, Feedback Foundation and local residents came together to make a difference. The initiative was aimed at tackling the disposal of plastic and other non-biodegradable waste along the Mandovi River, which poses a serious threat to marine life. Volunteers were provided with gloves, bags and other cleaning equipment. Participants were divided into smaller groups, each assigned a section of the beach to clean.

After an hour of efforts, the beach was significantly cleaner, with large bags full of waste. CCP and Feedback Foundation provided logistical support and resources for the successful completion of the event. The clean-up helped reinforce the message that small actions, when done collectively, can bring about a significant change in the environment. The collaboration between Don Bosco College and the CCP, Panjim set a great example of community-driven efforts to conserve the local environment.

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DBC Panjim organises Colossus XII: A Techno-Fest of Innovation and Collaboration

Don Bosco College, Panjim hosted the 12th edition of Colossus, a two-day inter-collegiate IT fest, attracting enthusiastic participation from eight teams representing seven colleges across Goa, on January 21st and 22nd, 2025. Colossus XII provided a platform for students to showcase their technical prowess, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

The inaugural ceremony witnessed the esteemed presence of Mr. Irshad Sen, Co-Founder at Achieve Academy and MD & Co-Founder at RKS Inno Group, as the Chief Guest. A significant milestone was achieved during the ceremony with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Don Bosco College and Achieve Academy. This collaboration aims to enhance student learning by providing opportunities for internships, industry exposure, and skill development.

The fest featured a diverse range of events, including Project Presentations, Debugging challenges, CSS Battle, a thrilling Treasure Hunt, and creative competitions like Meme Making, Logo Design, Film Making, and Music Mashups. A captivating Tech Talk by Dr. Razia de Loyola Furtado e Sardinha on “Explainable AI” provided valuable insights into this cutting-edge field.
“Colossus XII showcased the exceptional talent and creativity of the participating students,” said Mr. Palash Raikar, Assistant Professor and Faculty Coordinator of the event. “The high-quality projects, engaging competitions, and the insightful Tech Talk made this edition a resounding success.”

Team Tech Titans from Dnyanprassarak Mandal’s College & Research Center, Assagao, Goa, emerged as the overall winners, while Team Code Crackers from St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa, Goa, secured the runners-up position.

Colossus XII proved to be a valuable platform for students to learn, network, and showcase their abilities. The Department of Computer Applications expressed its gratitude to all the participants, faculty members, staff, volunteers, sponsors, and especially Mr. Irshad Sen and Achieve Academy for their invaluable contributions to the success of the event.