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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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Sci-Minds web Series: Webinar on Mathematical Modeling and Number Theory – Don Bosco College of Engineering

On the birth anniversary of the Indian mathematical genius Shrinivas Ramanujan, Dept of Science and Humanities of Don Bosco College of Engineering, Fatorda in association with R & D cell organized its first Sci-Minds web series on Mathematical Modeling and Number Theory on December 22, 2020 at 10am to 1pm using Google meet and live you tube link.

Prof. Vaishali Parakhi welcomed the participants and Dr. Kala Nayak shared her views on the webinar.

The speakers of the event were :

  • Dr.Venugopal,Professor of Mathematics in Department of Mathematics and Computer Science of Sri Sathya Sai University for Human Excellence, Kalburagi, Karnataka.
  • Dr Himadri Mukherjee , Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Goa Campus.

    • Dr.T.Venugopal spoke about how a real life problems can be solved by using Mathematical Modeling. He gave the participants various examples like: algebraic modeling, Decision problems, Transportation problem etc. He also spoke about Graph coloring and Mathematical optimization. He explained modeling and optimization problems in operation research with Microsoft Exel and solver.

    Dr Himadri Mukherjee spoke about continued fractions (Ramanujan’s stairway to infinity) He discussed an interesting puzzle and its solution with the participants. He also shared some anecdotes of Shrinivas Ramanujan.

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    The India of My Dreams

    QUICK BITE – India of my dreams, a winning entry essay on ‘My Ideal India’ by Christopher D’Souza, organized by the Life Skills Committee in association with the Literary Committee In light of Gandhi Jayanti

    Leo Tolstoy once said, Everyone thinks of changing the world, but nobody thinks about changing himself. He stands true to his word, because if you take a look at today’s people, politics, education and finance, you’ll really be lost in thought about how messed up the world has come to be. Not just the world, if we take a look at our own country we will be really taken aback. If we picture our country as a plant, we will come to the realization that it does need a great deal of healing and nurturing. Its roots are damaged, its leaves are withered and its branches are almost broken into a thousand pieces. India, for long, has been termed as a Developing country, and heaven knows for how long it will continue to be called so. So, what exactly is keeping India back and what can we, as human beings and citizens of the country, do to save our Motherland? Let us take a closer look at some of the changes we can bring about, as a family, to our country.

    Education

    India is a country with a lot of people and a vast diversity. But a vast diversity also means a vast variety of problems among people. The first one of them, in my opinion, would be to improve the educational infrastructure of every state. In my past elementary school, I can distinctly remember how the computer lab had 13 computers, out of which only 3 worked. My classmates would always have to be selected 3 at a time, just to practice for the Computer Education lectures. It took around 3 weeks for the entire class of 36 to finally finish one chapter practically. Another really bad example of its infrastructure would be the teaching methods used. Most teachers would just ramble on, force feed the students with notes and in the end, make them throw it all up on the tests. That’s not education; that’s bulimia.

    There are many other examples of how the school lacked in supplying adequate drinking water facilities, toilet sanitation and much more. Looking back, most of what I can remember is how the infrastructure lacked on so many levels and could do better. Dyllan McGee rightly stated, I believe in change. I believe in the power it has to unite us and ignite us and I agree with him. I do feel that a change in India’s education system can be brought about, but it will only be possible if we each take initiatives by ourselves and deal with it together. The education system of India, for India to take its first leap towards development, should be greatly improved in every state, town and locality. That’s how an ideal education would constitute to an ideal India, according to me.

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    VITA NOVA

    VITA NOVA As a part of Campus Connect , Language department in association Library Club (Bibliotech) and IQAC organized VITA NOVA , literary fest of the year 2020-2021. The fest mainly focused on the constructive changes in ecology that happened in the context of COVID -19 Pandemic . The fest revolved around four events Wall Art, Bottle Art , Seed Paper pen and Happy Pots . The prior registration was done for all the events. On 20/01/2021 the fest began with wall art at 9.00 AM . 9 teams had registered for wall art. The Teams were allotted walls based on the lot.

    All the other events began at 11:30. Around 100 students participated in the events. The fest ended with a formal concluding ceremony along with prize distribution at the college auditorium. Fr. Mathew Kapplikkunnel SDB (Director), Fr. Raju Chakkanattu SDB (Principal), Fr. Lijo Kalambadan SDB (Vice Principal), Ms. Chris Aloysius (Dean of Academics) gave way prizes to all the winners. All the winners were awarded with cash prizes and an ever rolling trophy was given to the class with maximum participant percentage. Vita Nova was indeed a great opportunity for the students to nurture and exhibit their artistic talents and skills.

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    KISMAT meeting

    KISMAT meeting -Evaluating our intervention for Migrant Youth of Thrissur, with Circle Inspector, Health Inspector, Excise Officer, Labour Officer and Director of KISMAT project.

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    Autonomy Review Visit – Sacred Heart College (Autonomous)

    The Autonomy Review Committee constituted by University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi visited Sacred Heart College (Autonomous), Tirupattur-635601, Tirupattur District on 5th & 6th February, 2021. The six member expert committee constituting: the Chairperson Dr. N.C. Gautham, Vice Chancellor, Magatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramamdaya Vishwavidyalaya, Chitrakoot, Satna District, Madhya Pradesh-485334, Member, Dr. K.B. Sharma, Principal, S.S. Jain Subodh PG College (Autonomous & College with Potential Excellence), Jaipur, Rajasthan-302004, Member Dr. Shuchi Srivastava, Professor, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh-462003, State Government Nominee, Dr. G. Ezhilan, the Regional Join Director of Collegiate Education, Vellore-632006, University Nominee Dr. A. Liyakath Ali, Member Syndicate, Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Islamiah College (Autonomous), Vaniyambadi-635752 and Coordinating Officer Dr. V. Jayaprakash, Section Officer-UGC-SERO, University Grants Commission South Eastern Regional Office, Chirag Lane, Hyderabad-500001 graced with their august presence in the premises of the campus for two days.

    The esteemed members of the committee were bestowed an affable welcome on the first day by the institution. The NCC Cadets, Sacred Heart College received them felicitously with Guard of Honour. Rev. Dr. D. Maria Antony Raj, SDB, Principal, Sacred Heart College, Rev. Dr. John Alexander, Secretary, Sacred Heart College, the Members of the Management and Office Bearers offered the Committee a hospitable welcome. After a short discussion, the members visited the various academic and non-academic sections of the institution.

    The sections include college office, laboratories, Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) office, Controller of Examinations (COE), library, archaeological discoveries, classrooms, departments, counselling center, research cell, play ground, gym, hostels, placement cell, extension services and the exhibition stalls of groups and movements. The committee met the alumni, parents, students, teaching staff and non-teaching staff individually. The college exhibited its extracurricular profile by presenting a variegated cultural programme before the committee in Kamarajar Arangam.

    On the second day, the members of the esteemed committee engaged themselves in team discussion and report writing. The committee conducted an exit meeting with Rev. Dr. D. Maria Antony Raj, SDB, Principal, Sacred Heart College, Dr. S. Sagayaraj, IQAC Coordinator, Sacred Heart College and Dr. L. Ravi, Chairperson, Autonomy Review Visit, Sacred Heart College to discuss the deliberations. The delegates completed their academic exercise and departed with profound gratitude. The management, staff and students were left with everlasting impression and scope for excellence in higher education.

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    Awareness on Banking Ombudsman Scheme

    The Department of Commerce organized a webinar on 02-02-2021, for students in the department on the topic “Awareness on Banking Ombudsman Scheme”. The session was handled by Mr. Sreenath L., Assistant Manager, Office of the Banking Ombudsman, Thiruvanthapuram. Topics covered : 1) Banking Ombudsman. 2) List of complaints one can lodge with the Banking Ombudsman. 3) Situations in which the complaint can be rejected by the Banking Ombudsman. 4) The procedure for filing a complaint with Banking Ombudsman.

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    The annual cultural fest

    The annual cultural fest of Sacred Heart College – HEARTBEAT 2021 was conducted on 31st January 2021 at 10:30 a.m. in Kamarajar Arangam. Rev. Fr. John Alexander the Rector and Secretary of the College presided over the function and declared the cultural fest open. The special guests of honour were Rev. Fr. K.J. Louis, Don Bosco – Pannur and Rev. Fr. Balasamy, Rector, Don Bosco Institutions, Fujairah, UAE. Rev. Dr. D. Maria Antony Raj, the Principal gave his felicitation and urged the students to emulate St. Don Bosco. Rev. Dr. G. Theophil Anand, the Vice Principal (Admin) coordinated the entire event. Students from almost 12 departments enthusiastically participated in this cultural fest. The competitions were conducted under 13 different categories to bring out the hidden talents of the students. The event was a grand success. More than 500 students participated in various events. The winners of the competitions were honoured with certificates and momentos. This event vouched for the wide variety of cultural talents of students from all disciplines.

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    Knowledge Sharing Session on PV Array Design & Estimation – Don Bosco College of Engineering

    The R & D Cell (Department of Science & Humanities) of Don Bosco College of Engineering had the activity on January 23, 2021. The resource person was Prof. Harison Cota, Deputy HOD of Science and Humanities.

    In his session, Prof.Harison Cota spoke about the PV array model, the difference between the stand-alone model and the grid connected (net metering) model and how the consumption of energy decides the number of PV modules required to be installed. He explained in detail how to calculate the cost and consumption of the power units and the long term benefits of the same.