Mangaluru: ‘Not just IQ, Teachers must have EQ and SQ’- UT Khader during 125 Birthday Celebrations of St Ann’s TTI

“It’s always good to be a IQ, or intelligence quotient, which is a score you receive on a test that assesses intelligence. But you should also be an EQ- Emotional Quotient, a (notional) measure of a person’s adequacy in such areas as self-awareness, empathy, and dealing sensitively with other people; and also a Spiritual Quotient (SQ) which is described as a measure that looks at a person’s spiritual intelligence in the same way as intelligence quotient(IQ) looks at cognitive intelligence. In other words it is the ability to be creative and insightful.”- Health Minister UT Khadar during Post-Centenary Silver Jubilee Celebrations of St Ann’s TeacherTraining institute

Mangaluru: St Ann’s Teachers Training Institute (TTI), started in 1890, celebrated its Post Centenary Silver Jubilee celebrations on October 14, 2015, which was a Pioneer Institution for the training of Women Teachers along the West Coast. During the course of 125 years it has more than fulfilled its objective of providing quality and integrated education to young girls to become beacons of light not only in India but to different parts of the world. It was indeed a historical and momentous occasion, for all the alumni and well-wishers who had gathered in large numbers for the Celebrations of 125 Years of this unique oldest Teachers training Institution in South India. The management was deeply stirred in emotions of joy and gratitude, to God and to all those Visionaries who not only were instrumental in establishing this historical educational institution, but all those who carried this vision even in the midst of difficulties, relentlessly carried on till date with sacrifice. Congratulations to the Apostolic Carmel nuns for their dedication in the field of education training students to be better citizens.

In 1890, St Ann’s Teacher Training Institute opened its door to educate the girls and make them start a new teaching career in their lives- and today I join you all in celebrating the 125th anniversary of this prestigious institute belonging to a prestigious Congregation of Nuns- the Apostolic Carmel Sisters. St Ann’s TTI is a institute that fosters and values initiative amongst its pupils, and you would be surprised to know that when the institute first opened its doors in 1890 it had only few students- Later in the years the strength grew in hundreds. Education being the main Apostolate of the Apostolic Carmel, the Training of Teachers has always been a special feature of their Apostolic Carmel endeavours. The Apostolic Carmel’s endeavours in the field of Teacher’s Training spread also to other places to send out well-qualified Teachers with an all-round training.

The Centenary of St Ann’s Teacher Training Centre, begun in 1890, has been the starting point for other Training Institutions to carry on the light of education to the different corners of India and the World at large. Several generations of students have spent their formative years in this Institution, carried their future education and have gone on to make their mark in the worlds of teaching, in the process making enormously valuable contributions to our economy, our community life. Many teachers who have passed through this institution have acknowledged benefiting from the holistic education they received here and from an environment which encourages every woman to realise her possibilities and reach her full potential.

The teacher trainees are very fortunate to benefit from a institute and dedicated staff that continues to take a holistic approach to the education of its students, integrating the social, personal and academic aspects of educational provision. The wide range of extra-curricular activities supported by the institution is impressive and includes co-curricular activities, musical performances and participation in many competitive events which support and enhance curricular learning. Meanwhile, the strong focus on the care and support of all students and on providing a positive learning environment allows them to develop into well-rounded young people prepared to face life with confidence; a confidence that the values which they have embraced, and the skills and knowledge which they have acquired, will equip them well in building their future lives.

The Post Centenary Silver Jubilee Celebrations began with a Thanksgiving Eucharistic celebration with Most Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’souza as the main celebrant, along with other clergy namely Fr Lawrence Pinto SJ, Fr JB Crasta, Fr Sunil and Fr Joseph Martis, held at St Ann’s Convent Chapel. The formal function was held at St Ann’s High School Hall, with chief guests namely UT Khadar-Health Minister; Jacintha Alfred-Mayor of MCC; Sr Edna Furtado AC-Secretary Apostolic Carmel Education Society-Karnataka Province; Asha M-Senior Lecturer, DIET, Mangaluru; Dr Sr M Shalini AC- Joint Secretary, St Ann’s; with guests of honor namely- Rev Fr JB Crasta- Parish Priest, Rosario Church; Abdul Latheef-Corporator, Port Ward; Dr Sr M Adelcia AC- Ex-student achiever; and Smt Catherine D’souza-Ex-student Achiever; and function presided over by Rev Sr Agatha Mary AC- Former Superior General of AC.

The ceremony began with a prayer song followed by a welcome song. Sr Maria Shubha AC-Principal of St Ann’s TTI welcomed the gathering. Four Ex-Principals were felicitated during the occasion namely Sr Louel AC, Sr M Nirmala Francis AC, Sr Marie Louelle, and Sr Maria Gretta AC. Also felicitated during the occasion was Vinod Gangolli for choreographing “Jnana Jyothi’-a dance drama that was staged during the function. Joe D’souza- an NRI and Retd. Electrical Engineer from USA was also recognized during the occasion for his support and donation of four computers to the institution- in his absence yours truly received the memento on behalf of my brother, Joe.

Addressing the gathering Minister UT Khadar said, ” I would like compliment the nuns of St Ann’s TTI for their tremendous contribution in the field of education and also for training hundreds of teachers who are serving the city, district, nation and worldwide. Yes Mangaluru is a Education Hub, in which St Ann’s TTI has played an important role in transforming the students to become good teachers. It’s always good to be a IQ, or intelligence quotient, which is a score you receive on a test that assesses intelligence. But you should also be an EQ- Emotional Quotient, a (notional) measure of a person’s adequacy in such areas as self-awareness, empathy, and dealing sensitively with other people; and also a Spiritual Quotient (SQ) which is described as a measure that looks at a person’s spiritual intelligence in the same way as intelligence quotient(IQ) looks at cognitive intelligence. In other words it is the ability to be creative and insightful”

Khadar further said that he will ask the government to help St Ann’s TTI in case they need any financial support. “Institutions like these run by the AC nuns benefit the society, and government should encourage such educational institution for the betterment of students, which will lead to the benefit of the community” added Khadar. Other chief guests and guests of honor also spoke and praised the contribution done by St Ann’s TTI in the field of education, and also to the society. Prizes were distributed to the winners in various competitions conducted during the post centenary Silver Jubilee celebrations. The vote of thanks was proposed by Umesh Karanth and Anitha D’Cruz-teaching staff at St Ann’s TTI, while the programme was professionally compered by Reshma T and Vaishali K- both Ex-Students of St Ann’s TTI. The formal function concluded with a Jubilee Song sung by a group of TTI, followed by a dance drama ” Jnana Jyothi”, choreographed by Vinod Gangolli.

We all should know nuns are called to help the community and to spread the word of God. Most of them spend their time in silent prayer and reflection. They head out into the community to do whatever they can, education, being spiritual directors, doing youth guidance and counseling or offering up any other talents they have in the name of God. Some are teachers while others work in charitable causes. Nuns serve a very important life in the church and normally are dedicated to the Church and Christ more than most others. And no doubt that the St Ann’s Sisters have served the community in the field of education and also in many other ways for the betterment of the St Ann’s Teachers Training Institution.

Therefore, all those who have been touched, inspired and cared by the St Ann’s community of religious nuns should express our thanks and gratitude to them for helping shape our ideals and beliefs. They taught us to respect our elders, practice self-control, diagram sentences, memorize poems, genuflect in Church, say our prayers, pray the rosary, send money to missions and support pagan babies, collect holy cards of all the many saints, reflect about our lives, “what we did, what we should have done and what we failed to do” and how to clap erasers and carry our books and bags to the convent.

In conclusion, You too will leave this institution and go out into the world to place your unique mark on your communities and societies. My wish for you is that, like the generations that have gone here before you, most of you will look back on your days in St Ann’s TTI with great gratitude and affection. In years to come you may not remember all of the mathematical theorems that you learnt here, or the other subject, but you will remember the friendships, the support and the security that came with knowing you were part of the St Ann’s family.

Wherever you may find yourselves in the world in future years, you will always remain connected in a profound way to the people you share this hall with today; the people who have played such a significant part in your formative years and who will remain central to your memories of the place you will always think of as ‘your’ school. Finally, to the St Ann’s nuns, who taught their students back in the “good old days,” and also for their other services, they deserve our “thank you” and “God bless you.” I end this tribute with a thought-provoking message:

“As you serve the Lord with all your heart and his life shines through you to light the way for others, may you rejoice in knowing what a difference you are making in His kingdom. For the work, love and goodwill that you spread throughout the Apostolic Carmel Congregation and community, may God bless you all “.

Happy 125 Birthday wishes to St Ann’s TTI from Team Mangalorean. We also wish the present Principal Sr Maria Shubha AC all success in the years to come. Mangalorean.com feels proud to be part of this memorable celebration in covering the happenings. Long live St Ann’s Teacher Training Institute, and “Let Us Sing the Mercies of the Lord Forever”.

Also Read Related Article:

• Mangaluru: St Ann’s T.T.I.- a Pioneer in Teacher Education for the Past 125 Years

Click here for Photo Album