(Photo/News: Rons Bantwal)
Mumbai, Jul 05: One more milestone in the journey of St John’s Technical & Educational campus Palghar was achieved by opening a new State Board High school in the lush green campus situated at Palghar Manor Road.
With this new high school now, the campus is having six different educational institutions with more than 25 courses providing the education to 5,000 plus students and employment of more than 400 employees. The new high school was inaugurated by chairman of the Aldel Education Trust Albert W D'Souza and joined by Elvina D’Souza – secretary, Elaine D’Souza Buthello – treasurer, Aldridge D’Souza – trust member along with Gracy Mathias – principal of Aldel High School.
After the inauguration of the high school, stage programme was organised in the campus auditorium. The event began with a universal prayer for Peace followed by lighting of the lamp. Elvina D’Souza introduced the principal Sr Gracy Mathias and presented a floral bouquet.
Addressing the gathering chairman of the trust Albert W D'Souza said, "I strongly believe that if anyone plans for one year then they have to sow a seed. If anyone plans for 10 years then they have to plant a tree. If anyone plans for 100 years then they have to go and educate the people. Being an agriculturist during early 90s I bought this agriculture land since I had a passion for cultivation. During my regular visits to the said farm, where this beautiful campus today is standing, I observed that Palghar being a tribal area there were not many educational institutions in the region and hardly any higher professional educational institutions. With the support of local community and with my experience in Academics I started my own campus in 2008, under Aldel Education Trust, with a vision of ‘Excellence in Serving to Educate and Educating to Serve’. The campus got started with institutions offering Engineering and Pharmacy then followed by Management Studies, Humanities College. With increasing demand then got added Diploma programmes in Engineering and Pharmacy followed by a CBSE school and a Junior College. In the process I realised that Campus also requires a State Board school since the rural population mostly prefers State Board School for its own reason. The demand for private schools is on the rise. We need more and more good quality competent schools to spread the social cause of education and to increase the literacy rate. Aldel Campus through this newly inaugurated Aldel High School will make honest efforts to provide a good ducation. Today I am happy to declare this State Board High School open since the population of this region prefers for State Board School."
Chairman said, "My vision is to create a ‘Centre of Excellence’ in existing areas of higher education and in the additional programmes that are being planned. My wish is that St John Educational Campus should be able to provide holistic education in a wide array of programmes for any student desiring to pursue higher education. India has vast resources and is a fast developing. Our young and dynamic youth realize this potential and become stakeholders of this developing India. Education and skill development are key factors in all areas and supporting this cause has been my key motivator."
Speaking further chairman said, "I have always believed that opportunities are available, it is our perception of situations and how we respond to take charge of them that decides the outcomes. My message to the youth is 'Sea is common for all, some take pearls, some take fishes & some come out with just wet legs. World is common to all but we get what we try for' and the second 'Everything is easy if you want to do it, everything is difficult if you don’t want to do it'."
The programme was attended by the members of the Management Dr Savita Tauro, deputy campus director and principal of St John College of Pharmacy and Research, principal of St John College of Engineering & Management Dr Gopal V Mulgund, principal of St John College of Humanities & Sciences Dr Brijbandhu Das, principal of St John Junior College Suchita Gharat, principal of St John International School Sr Veena Monteiro, campus general manager Satheesh Shetty, HR manager Sudhir Babu, campus manager Cornelius Pereira, Administrations of all the Institutes of the Campus and parents and students.
The programme concluded with the vote of thanks followed by the national anthem. The event was compered by Tanya Pullat of St John International School (CBSE).The parents and students were served refreshments at the end of the programme. It was a joyous celebration with a new Institute added to St John Technical and Educational Campus.