DON BOSCO INDIA – Higher Education Network

A Brief Report of the Meeting of the General Body held at Maitreya, Bangalore

6-7 November 2011

A two-day meeting of the Don Bosco Institutions of Higher Education in India was held at Maitreya, Bangalore on 6-7 November, 2011 with the objective of examining and reinforcing the premises on which the institutions are operating – Salesian, national, international perspectives - and to look at opportunities for growth and relevance through the use of ICT and networking.

The assembly was welcomed by Fr. Stephen Mavely, the Executive Secretary of the Association. He expressed his joy at having the presence of Fr. Fabio Attard, the General Councillor for Youth Ministry, and briefed him on the purpose of the meeting. He thanked Fr. Maria Charles, Co-ordinator of Youth Pastoral, South Asia, for making the initial contacts and the necessary arrangements for the meeting. Encouraging the participation of all those who came for the meeting he said, “We are in the field of higher education not by chance, but by choice, and so let us use this occasion to revisit our core values and to maximise our impact through a unique synergy that can be achieved by networking while exploring new avenuesfor our mission of educating the youth of our country adhering at the same time to the framework of the congregation for higher education.”

Fr. Fabio Attard in his address spoke about higher education as an integral part of the Salesian Congregation’s mission, and said, “The University as a place for the dissemination of knowledge is a privileged place for the Salesian mission. The Salesian congregation understands the young as the place we need to be - to accompany the young.” He further added saying, “By offering them journeys of human, spiritual and professional growth, we journey with them respecting what they are, where they are, and their identity.”Touching upon Cardinal Newman’s idea of a university, he advocated the ‘liberal arts model’ of university education that caters to every facet of human formation.

He also spoke about the role of an academic community, the contribution of higher education institutions to the development of the Salesian mission, and itsimperative to reach out to the neighbourhood. Calling the members to focus their attention on the mission, he said that it is important that the IUS are fully integrated in the educative pastoral project of the Provinces; thereby collaborating with and enriching the growth and development of all our presences - schools, colleges and all undertakings of the Provinces.

Fr. Maria Charles made a presentation on the need for creating more space for higher education and dwelt on the difference made in this field through Salesianinstitutions. Presenting a realistic picture of the higher education scenario in India, he underlined the need for greater involvement of the Congregation in higher education. He touched upon the challenges of technology, the need for innovation universities, the importance of networking and collaborating with the universities abroad, andthe call for paying attention to the individuals as well as the community.

At the second session,Fr. George Thadathil coordinated the presentations made by the member institutions. The institutionswere given eight minutes each to present their vision, significant data (courses, staff, students), distinguishing features, future plans, etc. It was amply evident from the two sessions devoted to this exercise that an enormous amount of work was being done by ‘Don Bosco India – Higher Education Network’, and that there is ample scope for harnessing the enthusiasm and initiatives of these institutions into a harmonious instrument enriched with the rich traditions and praxis of the Congregation.

In the evening session, Fr. Fabio made a response to the presentations made by the member institutions. He appreciated the effort of each one and expressed satisfaction over the attention given to the identity of the institutions and their educative and pastoral aims.Commenting on the challenge of preparing the young to become professionals in the context of India, he urged them to focus on institutional planning and a professional outlook, and to become proactive in reaching out to the needs of the times and the neighbourhood.

The first session on the second day began with an input by Fr. Fr Adolph Furtado on ‘The needs and challenges of the Network’. He spoke of the reluctance of our institutions to network fearing loss of autonomy or control, and stressed on the advantages of collaborative effort describing it ‘as the way to move forward’.

At the second session of the day, Fr Gregory Thaddeus dwelt on ‘The use of ICT and Pedagogy in a Salesian Way’. Explaining the dynamics of cooperative learning, he gave an in-depth analysis of the IUS Virtual Course (CVI), initiated by the Catholic University of Brazil and now being conducted in India by Sacred Heart College, Tiruppattur. Fr Thaddeus underlined how the objectives and methodology of the Salesian System of Education are embedded in this Course.

The third session was on ‘DBU Global – a unique opportunity’presented by Raunak Singh Ahluwalia, Executive Director of ‘Centre for On-line and Distance Education’ of Assam Don Bosco University, and Fr. Stephen Mavely. This presentation on Don Bosco University’s online university education platform offered a glimpse into the possibility of an ever expanding network that the members of IUS – India could make use of to make higher education accessible and affordable to a much wider clientele. The members were taken through the online admission procedures and teaching style that ensured the imparting of quality education. The presentation was followed by a discussion on the opportunities for collaboration and participation.

The afternoon session was dedicated to a business session during which the members discussed on organizational matters, and plans and programmes for the coming year.

Following are some of the decisions arrived at during the plenary session on plans of action:

  1. ‘Don Bosco Way’ to be adopted as a staff induction programme by as many institutions as possible. (Fr. Adolph to see to making the site user friendly and feature rich)
  2. Virtual course from Brazil on ‘Cooperative Learning’. (Next batch is starting in January 2012. for further details)
  3. 2nd edition of the Directory of ‘Don Bosco India – Higher Education Network’. (Fr. Stephen to coordinate the editorial work, and Fr. Adolph and Fr. George Thadathil to see to the possibility of getting it printed at a reasonable rate. The Directory is to include also a message from Fr Fabio Attard)
  4. Possibility of availing of Templeton Research Grants (Interested persons to contact Fr Joe Mannath)
  5. Campus Ministry (Networking by those in-charge of campus ministry in the various colleges to be attempted – the Executive Board is to facilitate this meeting).
  6. Collection of best practices in our colleges (Fr Mario Vaz to work on this and to bring out a booklet in the line of the book on best practices published by NAAC).
  7. Preparation of ‘self-study reports’ and initiation of ‘institutional planning’ along the lines of NAAC recommendations should be undertaken by the colleges. (Fr Gregory Thaddeus to prepare a document that could be used as a tool for self-study and institutional planning – including also aspects of Salesian accreditation requirements).
  8. Website for Don Bosco India - Higher Education Network. (Mr. Raunak Singh Ahluwalia offered to have it ready within November 2011. The site will offer opportunities for the members to highlight their own institutions).
  9. Meeting of Principals of B. Ed Colleges. (Fr. P.D. Johnny to coordinate).
  1. Organizational matters:

It was decided that:

  • The present Executive Board consisting of Fr. Stephen Mavely, Fr. Adolph Furtado, Fr. Gregory Thaddeus and Fr. George Thadathil would continue with Fr. Stephen Mavely as the Co-ordinator and Fr. George Thadathil as the Executive Secretary.
  • The Executive Board will work on a final draft of the organizational structure for presentation to the SPCSA with a decision to be taken later on registering‘Don Bosco India - Higher Education Network’ as a society/ association.
  • The General Body of Don Bosco India Higher Education Network will continue to meet once a year.
  • There will be a meeting of the network in late April 2012 to plan for the plenary assembly of IUS International in Rome in July 2012. The members were requested to make adequate preparations well in time to attend this plenary assembly.

15th November 2011Sr Shiji James MSMHC

Please Note:

  1. A corrected list of the participants at the meeting, with their contact details, is attached with this report. Discrepancies, errors or omissions in the list and in this report, if any, may kindly be brought to the notice of Sr Shiji James ().
  2. Member institutions are requested to send the matter for publication in the 2nd Edition of the Directory. They are reminded that the last date for submission of these materials (the text and high resolution photographs on a CD) is 30th November 2011. 4 pages are reserved for each institution.
  3. The materials may kindly be sent to: Sr Shiji James, Don Bosco University, Airport Road – Azara, Guwahati – 781017 – Phone No: 94355-40218.
  4. Kindly note that this date will not be extended – the Directory will go to the press with whatever material is submitted by 30th November 2011.