By Richard Kemmannu
Udupi, Dec 31: A farewell ceremony was organized for Prof Joseph Peter Fernandes, dean of Science faculty and head of department of Chemistry of Milagres College, Kallianpur on Thursday December 31.
After invocation by the staff of the college, Dr Vincent Alva, principal, Milagres College, Kallianpur, welcomed the gathering and spoke on his senior colleague Prof Joseph Peter Fernandes who retiring after more than 36 years of teaching services and 33 years for Milagres College as a lecturer, professor, dean of Science faculty and head of the Chemistry department.
Surabhi, final BSc student of the college, appreciated his most dynamic teacher and Prof Joseph Peter Fernandes and shared her view about the Chemistry lecturer.
Xavier Fernandes on behalf of non-teaching staff of the college appreciated Prof Joseph Peter Fernandes and outlined his words about the lecturer.
Fr Dr Prakash Anil Castelino spoke on behalf of the faculty of the college on his colleague and head of his department of Chemistry, Prof Joseph Peter Fernandes. He said Prof Joseph is the Good Samaritan and helper for the needy. He appreciated his character of simplicity, straightforwardness, and basket of general knowledge, highly brilliant, guide and helpful to students and at large to others along with a teacher of par excellence. He said he learned much from his senior Prof Joseph and Prof Joseph would be the backbone of the development of the Chemistry laboratory which is one of the best in Mangalore University.
One of the best colleagues and friend, retired Prof Melwyn C Rego, appreciated Prof Joseph Peter Fernandes who joined the same year three decades ago and served for the college. Retired Prof Melwyn C Rego shared his experience with his beloved colleague Prof Joseph. He gave his testimony of friendship with Prof Joseph.
Dr Surekha Bhat read out the citation, letter of appreciation on retiring Prof Joseph Peter Fernandes. President of the occasion, Fr Vincent R Crasta, secretary of Catholic Education Society of Udupi diocese, Fr Valerian Mendonca, correspondent of Milagres Educational Institutions, Shekar Gujjarbettu, president of Alumni Association and other on the dais felicitated Prof Joseph Peter Fernandes, during the occasion.
After the felicitation, in his farewell address, Prof Joseph Peter Fernandes showed his gratitude to all the past correspondents, past principals of the college beginning with Fr Da Cruz to Fr Valerian Mendonca. He also gave to his colleagues of the department and all present colleagues of the college and who left the college. He gave much emotional gratitude to his past students and also present students for their love towards him. He also gave gratitude to the management committee and all concerned during the occasion. He thanked all concerned during his life in Milagres College as well as three years in St Philomena College Puttur. He thanked Fr Prakash Anil Castelino for his maximum support for the department.
Fr Valerian Mendonca gave his gratitude on behalf of himself, management and concerned to retiring Prof Joseph Peter Fernandes for his valuable and most precious services for the Milagres College as a good teacher and Good Samaritan. He wished him good health and a peaceful retired life.
Fr Vincent R Crasto spoke in his presidential address and appreciated retiring Prof Joseph Peter Fernandes for his most memorable life in the college.
Dr Jayaram Shettigar delivered a vote of thanks and Prof Purnima compared the programme. Jyothi Lewis, president of Parents’ Teachers’ Association, Chandrika and Karthik Nayak Student Welfare Council directors and president along with secretary of the students’ welfare council were present on the dais. Former principals Dr Gerald Pinto, Dr Nerry Cornelio, former colleague and principal of St Mary’s College Dr Herald Monis, retired professors, colleagues from St Philomena College, Puttur, Savitha Kumari, principal of Milagres PU College and students at large were present during the farewell ceremony.