Media Release
Udupi, Aug 9: A Learning Symposium for teachers of was organized at Milagres College, Kallianpur, in Udupi on August 8. While the College at Kallianpur was well handled by the senior students taking charge as teachers for a day, the entire teaching staff was in the Auditorium of Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi actively engaging in the learning symposium for them.
All were so engrossed and involved, as they didn't know how three plus hours have gone by, as all the participants enjoyed and benefitted from the symposium.
The programme began with a thought-provoking insight from Dr Jayaram Shettigar-the IQAC coordinator, who said the life incident of Socrates, who was close to his death, accused of treason. Socrates had said, "I want to learn music" other inmates ridiculed him saying, you re going to die tomorrow. What is its use of it? Socrates replied, "Knowledge is a vast ocean; let me learn something new before I die." Dr Jayaram Shettigar compeered the programme. Dr Jayaram Shettigar, HOD – dept of History, invited resource person for the day Fr Charles Menezes, principal Dr Vincent Alva, vice-principal and HOD dept of Hindi professor Sophia Dias, Dr Prakash Anil Castelino, HOD dept of Chemistry to be on the dais, to be part of a short formal programme that followed. The learning session was inaugurated through seeking blessings of God through a prayer.
The resourceful person in Fr Charles Menezes was briefly introduced by Dr Prakash Anil Castelino, HOD dept of Chemistry. 'Presently parish priest of Mother of Sorrows Church and dean (vicar forane) of the Udupi deanery, MA in Sociology, BTh., has possessed the treasure of both knowledge and experience in training youth at the diocese, national and international level, holding various posts of repute, responsibility and authority.
The principal of the college, Dr Vincent Alva spoke on this occasion. "As the day going down into the history in Kallianpur, without its Teaching faculty and principal in the campus, probably for the first time, as we have confidence in our senior students, here it's a different experience, in Udupi to learn how to be an effective teacher with Fr Charles Menezes"
Once the mike was handed over to the resource person, it was a feast for the participants with short talks, games, action songs, group discussion and an opportunity to share personal feelings and experiences, well received by all the participants. This provided an opportunity to introspect, see within us, and recognize and appreciate better qualities in others and imbibe them. A long list of the qualities in teachers was passed on to the lecturers present.
The second session was still interesting with a modern parable of a Boy in a Cardboard Box. How all of us are blocked by various bonds, at times willing to come out of them, inherent failures and reattempts, role of peer group and encouragement, how significant the usage of language even choice of words and its impact as a teacher address to his students, etc. was narrated with his personal experiences in life.
To conclude the seminar, feedback was ascertained from the audience as professor Annamma, professor Jayalaxmi, professor Wilma Cornelio, professor Poornima and others shared their feelings and benefits extracted will be very useful not only for improving teaching standards but for daily life and living.
The principal echoed the same feelings as in the end the day will be unique for both Students in the College Campus and we teachers over here and took the opportunity to express heartfelt thanks to Fr Charles Menezes, for spending his most valuable time with and for us.
Tanishq, the popular and leading dealer in Gold and Diamond Jewellery arranged a short presentation to introduce the smart, secured and convenient Golden Harvest Plan with Maxim Saldanha and their team. Sales and service personnel representing prestigious Titan Watches, and Ultrasonic cleaned Titan Eye+ too were available for consultation. They generously sponsored breakfast and sumptuous lunch for all the participants.