All India Association for Christian Higher Education
(AIACHE)

Member-Colleges of All India Association for Christian Higher Education (AIACHE) from Western Region participated in the one-day Regional Consultation held at St. Xavier’s  College, Mapusa, on 18th November 2011.

The day long programme opened up with a prayer service, based on the parable of the Sower, conducted by Jane Lobo and team.  It focused on the role of the teacher to empower the students to become fruitful and productive.

The Principal, Dr. (Fr.) Walter de Sa welcomed the delegates from various states and, in particular the Secretary General of AIACHE, Dr. Daniel Ezhilarasu, Vice-President,           Dr. Newman Fernandes, and Dr. Xavier Alphonso.  Fr. de Sa elaborated on the  idea of ‘Universitas’ as expounded by Pope Benedict XVI, namely, as the Counsel of  masters and  students with the will and understanding needed to master various disciplines and to seek together the Truth, while addressing to the young University Professors gathered at the World Congress of Catholic  Universities held in Avila on the theme : The Identity and Mission of the Catholic University.  He further added that teaching is not just about communicating content but about forming young people.  Personally and by example we need to become authentic teachers, he added.

Dr. Daniel spoke on the structure of AIACHE, and stressed on the need of networking with all the member-colleges by sharing with them healthy practices and adopting an exchange programme for teachers and students.

Dr. Fernandes spoke on innovation and excellence in higher education.  He encouraged to start new programmes that would ensure employment and would develop in the learners entrepreneurial skills.  He appealed the members to work towards quality enhancement of the colleges in order to be on par with the international standards.

Dr. Xavier Alphonso who is a member of UGC and a great promoter of Community Colleges in India, dwelt on the need of Orientation Programme for Principals specially in the context of the UGC schemes.  He exhorted to act as facilitators endowed with a team spirit.

He also released the book entitled, The Freedom of Choice” and the Need to Be Pro Life: A Focus on Abortion and Euthanasia, published by the Department of Philosophy and the Centre of Value Education for Dialogue, St, Xavier’s College, Mapusa.

The programme ended with a vote of thanks by Dr. Annie Fernandes, followed by the singing of the College Anthem