From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Aug 9: For the second year, CHRIST (Deemed to be University) commenced its online teaching courses for the students of all Under-Graduate and Post-Graduate degree classes for the new academic year 2021-22 with the Vice Chancellor Fr (Dr) Abraham V M exhorting the students realise their full potential in life in the present VUCA world.

In his address at the virtual inaugural session of the new academic year 2021-22 on Monday, the Vice Chancellor said the University was fully geared to enable the students to acquire the learning skills to confidently negotiate and resolve what he termed as the ‘’volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous’’ (VUCA) world to become exemplary citizen scholars.

“You will graduate from this University with confidence and a critical educational consciousness that builds in you the habit of excellence and the attitude of service and develop attributes of a competent agent of change and social transformation to build an effective, fair, equitable, inclusive and cohesive community, society and a prosperous nation,’’ said Fr Abraham.

In keeping with the current trend of online academic classes and even work from home rather than physical attendance since the outbreak of the Covid pandemic, the Vice Chancellor acknowledged that the academic year may be commencing from diverse locations in the city, state or even the world and CHRIST University was well prepared to usher the students into a new and differential learning and research experience.

Apart from guiding the students to complete their studies by providing high-quality and relevant training across faculties and campuses, the University also strives to ensure their success while entering the world of work or become entrepreneurs.

Amazing work by faculty and staff

“At CHRIST, we are aware that digital technologies are rapidly changing the world of work. So, we provide you an education that prepares you for the future world of work. We equip you to be ready for your choices in the world of work and innovation,’’ he said.

The Vice Chancellor said the faculty and staff have done amazing work to prepare for a rewarding academic year. "They have worked tirelessly experimenting, learning, researching, testing and creating innovative ways to provide you with an engaging and interactive learning environment and developed competitive programs and services to help you in every step of your journey including academic guidance and counselling support,’’ he said.

Asking the students to become active and involved participants in the education process, Fr Abraham said: "Online learning will have its share of problems, I am not discounting it, but it is for you to not buckle down to the challenges and be passive. You should motivate yourself to look at the situation as an opportunity to build the best networks that you possibly can both personally and professionally.’’

Best time to create 'knowledge societies’

“Remember that these times may call for physical distancing amongst us,’’ he said taking note of the Covid safety protocols and pointed out that ‘the distance between us and our expert resources across the world are negligible thanks to technology’.

The Vice Chancellor urged the students to identify potential contacts, experts, resources from your knowledge domain- connect with them, communicate and collaborate with them and share your knowledge to the world. "This is the best time to move from an era of just information use to creating knowledge societies,’’ he said.

Reassuring the student community belonging to diverse backgrounds that the entire 'CHRIST family’ of teachers, seniors and peers were ready to provide any guidance, support and help to move ahead in life as individuals, team players and professionals in the programmes of study you have opted for, he said reaffirming that the University values diversity to become truly inclusive.

Reminding the students the workload in the University is significantly higher, the content more complex, Fr Abraham emphasized that time management was critical and mere talent and ability are not enough and strong work ethics was very much essential.

Focus on studies, use facilities

“Focus on your studies, use the facilities of health services, emotional support, including stress management, spiritual nurturing and mentorship. Always use your voice constructively. Not to polarise and judge. Speak out when you see your “buddies” not coping, speak out when you see something that is not right. Be socially responsible and active citizens to bring in positive change that will develop overall sustainability for a better future,’’ the Vice Chancellor advised.

Fr Abraham asked the students not to be disheartened by the present uncertain times and mentioned that such times often results in creativity and innovations. The students must make use of the opportunities and develop attributes of a competent agent of change and social transformation to build an effective, fair, equitable, inclusive and cohesive community, society and a prosperous nation. “As you embark on this life changing journey, you must also be aware that student life is filled with new freedoms and opportunities. Understand that along with that comes responsibility, discernment and focus. During your time as University students, you will meet new people, many different from you but are fellow travellers. It is a time when you will be challenged in many ways. Use the experience to learn and develop as a person,’’ he added.

The University Registrar Dr Anil Joseph Pinto said regular course instructions for the UG and PG students will commence online from Monday itself. Links for the classes have already been sent by the respective departments through the University emails. All students must activate their emails and regularly check for any updates, notices and other information from the departments concerned or from the University, he said making it clear that the University will respond only to email communications from the assigned email IDs of the students.