Learning While Earning! Students Talents Unleashed at Glittering St Aloysius Evening 54th College Day Bash

Learning While Earning! Students Talents Unleashed at Glittering St Aloysius Evening 54th College Day Bash

Mangaluru: The difference between the students going to the Day St Aloysius College and those students going to the Evening St Aloysius PU College is that, the day college students after attending their college hours ( between 8.30 am-4 pm) head to the nearby City Centre Mall or Fiza Forum mall or a movie theatre, while the Evening College students, after striving hard at their day time job, head to the college to study for a better future. And for that matter, these hard working students of St Aloysius Evening college consists of economically deprived students who work during the day to meet the ends of their families, and study in the evening with a hope of having a better future.

And on the fun and FLIES filled evening of Saturday, 2 March 2020, nearly 500 students of St Aloysius evening College, who were quite energetic and active like the day college students, unleashed their talents during their 54th College Day. Wondering why it was a FLIES filled evening? Due to the rain that lashed the City, a swarm of flies made their presence during the celebration, and they created a hectic situation not only to the dignitaries on the dais, but also to the audience present. The flies kept the audience quite active, where they had to keep their hands and legs moving in order to chase away the flies- and it was quite a scene, patiently managed by all- and the show went on well!

1966 is an auspicious year in the annals of St Aloysius Evening College (SAEC) , Mangaluru. After taking giant strides in the field of education through its flagship Institution St Aloysius College, the Jesuit fathers made a telling impact on the educational arena of Mangaluru by starting an evening college. An evening college had been a long-felt need of the working people of Mangaluru. The city had been growing, with a constantly increasing number of offices, factories, business houses and educational institutions. For the many students who had to drop out of their regular education and take up jobs, the evening college provided an opportunity to continue their education and progress in their careers. Catering to the educational needs of such students, was very much in keeping with the direction Jesuit education was taking. It had to be inclusive, men, women, rich, poor, with a special emphasis on the less privileged in society, the buzz-word being ‘option for the poor’.

St Aloysius Evening College offers a very important service to the city of Mangaluru and its neighbouring areas by becoming a haven to hundreds of men and women of this city and neighbourhood, who would otherwise be denied the opportunity of collegiate education. The credit also goes to the students who after a grueling day’s work remain enthusiastic and active participants in the rigorous class room instruction for nearly three more hours. This Evening college was started with the express intention of providing quality education to the youth of Mangaluru and its vicinity, especially those hailing from a economically Ever since its inception, the College has proved to be a boon for many who had to drop out from their regular education and take up jobs due to the incessant weather.

From its humble beginnings in 1966, the SAEC, is on its 54th glorious year of its academic life. And on Saturday, SAEC celebrated its 54th Annual College Day at the open air Mother Teresa Paece Park . The programme began with a prayer song by the college choir invoking God’s blessings, followed by welcome address by Dr V B Hans-the Convener of College Day Committee. Dr Manohar Serrao, the principal of the College presented the elaborate Annual report through a Audio Video presentation, which was applauded by the audience for all the activities and achievements these economically deprived students were capable of doing. Kudos and job well done!

In his Administrator’s speech, Fr Praveen Martis SJ said, “In its 54 years of existence SAEC has proved that it is ever young and creative by keeping pace with the changing times and circumstances in the world, especially in the field of education . Under the leadership of the Principal and with collaboration of dedicated staff, the College is forming men and women for others, thus making their own lives worth living. Our students are the focus of our care and concern, and I would like them to do the best, which they have already done well so far. Like Martin Luther King Jr said, “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and think critically. intelligence plus character-that is the goal of true education”. Here at SAEC, being an important part of St Aloysius College Institutions, firmly endorse Martin Luther King Jr’s thoughts and try our best to create an ambience wherein intelligence and character building go hand in hand. While thanking God for the many blessings He has bestowed on us in the past, we look to the future with determination, hope, and joy, because He is always with us”.

Following the felicitation of the Chief Guest by the Rector of the College Fr Dionysius Vaz SJ, Principal Dr Manohar Serrao, Vice Principal Dr Ravi Shetty, Convener Dr Vedamani Basil Hans, Gurukiran-President Students Council, Peter D’souza- Vice President- Student Council, Sr Renita Mathias- Secretary-Students Council, Dinith M A- Secretary-AL-Com, the Chief Guest Dr Shripathi Kalluraya P- Finance Officer, Professor and Chairman-Dept of Economics, Mangalore University said, ” I was totally overwhelmed to learn about the achievements that was delivered in the Annual college report. For you students, working during day time and studying during evening hours is great accomplishment in your lives. This institution is like a Kshetra of education, which has lasted for 140 years, and of which SAEC has done great achievements in its 54 years of existence. When SAEC started I was in 2nd standard, and it nice to see that it has reached greater heights. With determination and commitment you have accepted the gauntlet to study for a better future and a better career. Students should avail all the opportunities that come your way, and make use of them wisely and not abuse them There are lots of opportunities available, but you should utilize them very systematically and in a effective way”.

“Education has reached a different phase. These days knowledge has become a major resource-your knowledge will make you a great and earn great. Decades ago we never had high-tech gadgets, but now with the click of a button on your smartphones, computers or other digital gadgets you can retrieve any information you need. But just knowledge is not sufficient to upgrade your life. Knowledge gained should be put into practicals to make it worth-then only you’ll succeed and achieve your goal. Let’s not underestimate evening college students, they too are capable, knowledgeable and smart like the day college students. And they work hard knowing that hard work, determination and dedication will bring them success and laurels in life. Quoting T S Eliot “Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information? This wonderful quote from TS Eliot echoes the DIKW model of- Data, Information, Knowledge and Wisdom. … So Innovation is the (upper) part of the Knowledge layer. Be creative and innovative, and success will be all yours” added Dr Kalluraya.

Fr Dionysius Vaz SJ- Rector of St Aloysius Institutions speaking on the occasion said, “Looking at the annual report I am overwhelmed that you all are doing great things and achieving tremendously. There is no difference between you and day college students, you too also have the talents, and energy to achieve like them. Jesuit education ultimately aims at altering in students-1) their world of learning, i.e the life of the mind; 2) their world of loving, i.e their human and spiritual imagination and affection; 3) their world of living, i.e the life of social realities. Keep up the good work that you all are entrusted with, work hard and study hard, and you’ll reach greater heights and be the leaders of the nation”.

“What delights me in our staff, both teaching and non-teaching, is their unceasing enthusiasm, their love for their students and their commitment to our vision Lucet et ardet (Shine to Enkindle) in order to create men and women for and with others. To students I say, keep four aspects when you pursue a career, which are- What you love to do; What you are good at; What the world needs; and What you can be paid for. Quoting Rabindranath Tagore, “The highest education is that which does not merely give us information, but makes our life in harmony with all existence”. I wish SAEC a fruitful journey in widening the horizons of their students’ world of learning, loving and living in the years to come” added Fr Vaz SJ.

Prizes were distributed to students excelled in academics, sports and co-curricular activities. The College Magazine “Sandhya Deepa”was released by the chief guest. The vote of thanks was proposed by Guru Kiran, the student council president. Following the College Anthem sung by the College Choir, it was time to witness the mind blowing performance of the students during the cultural programme.The Formal part of programme was compered meticulously and professionally by Ms Anabelle Moras of IInd M Com and Keith Mendonca of IInd B Com. The cultural programme comprising of Bollywood dances, skit and much more acts enthralled the audience. The Cultural programme was compered by Roshan Rocco of M Com and Ms Mandara Shetty of B Com.

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