TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Over 50 Salesian delegates from 12 provinces in South Asia met over Tuesday and Wednesday to draw up a vision for Don Bosco higher education institutes, at Don Bosco Panjim, under the aegis of the Indian chapter of Instituzioni Universitarie Salesiane or Salesian University Institutions.
The conference discussed a road map for Salesian mission for and among the youth, the possibilities of networking between Salesian institutions in India and other countries and create a national research and documentation centre to strengthen youth ministry in India and to influence youth policies and plans of the Church and the Governments at various levels.
It also resolved to document best practices of their institutions and upscale the quality of education dished out by Salesian Colleges and University.
Inspired by the spirit of St John Bosco, an Italian priest who founded the Salesian Congregation, taking the name from St. Francis of Sales, the Salesians from higher educational institutions decided to re-imagine and re-articulate their mission for the young keeping in mind the socio-economic-cultural challenges faced in contemporary society to become more active stakeholders in creating a just,
progressive and egalitarian society.
The conference decided to focus on youth in the age group of 18 to 30 in the formal and the informal sectors of our ministry, shift focus from institution building to creating youth spaces in relevant forms to empower them.
Salesians from various parts of the country and Asia shared their challenges and experiences in the field of higher education and got down to the nitty gritty of avenues for networking among their higher education institutions in India and other countries.
Bro Mario Olmos, the IUS General Coordinator from Don Bosco Head Quarters in Rome spoke on Reflections on Salesian Involvement in Higher Education –A global Perspective. Fr Adolph Furtado, Director summed up the strategies for networking.
Fr (Dr) Stephen Mavely, Vice Chancellor, Don Bosco University Assam and conference convenor said education has seen an exponential growth in India over the years. “Fifteen years ago Don Bosco had only eight colleges in India. Today we have 42 and another two are in the offing, not to mention one university.” he said. Fr Mario Charles, South Asia delegate for the youth ministry said, “We have 120 technical schools in India today. In less than five years, we have offered 65,000 jobs to youth through short term skill development courses. By 2020 we hope to place 2 million youth.”
Dr Marie Raj Principal of Don Bosco College, Panjim disclosed plans to start an agriculture college in Sulcorna. Fr Ian Figueiredo, Chairman and Provincial said the college would begin a certificate course in organic farming under IGNOU. Fr Thaddeus Singarayan, Prof Conrad Saldhana, Fr Maria Charles, Fr George Thadathil, and Fr Adolph Furtado chaired the various sessions. Fr Wilfred Fernandes, Manager of Don Bosco Panjim was the local host and co-organiser.
