Prof. K.V. Thomas, Member of Parliament,
Shri Hibi Eden, Member of Legislative Assembly,
Smt. Soumini Jain, Mayor, Cochin Corporation,
His Grace the Most Reverend Dr. Joseph Kalathiparambil, Metropolitan Archbishop of Verapoly,
Reverend Father Antony Arackal, Chairman & Manager, St. Albert’s College
Dr. M.L. Joseph, Principal,
Priyapetta Adhyapakare
Priyapetta Raksha-karthakale
Priyappetta Vidyarthikale,
Sahodaree Sahodaranmare
Ellavarkkum Ente Namaskaram.
I am very happy to inaugurate the E-Governance and
E-learning systemat St. Albert's College, Ernakulum, which is celebrating its Platinum Jubilee. It adds to my joy that the programme also involves the installation of ten smart classrooms with the assistance ofProf. K.V. Thomas Vidyadhanam Project.
Let me at the outset, partake in the joy and pride of the St. Albert's Collegecommunity as this institution celebrates its Platinum Jubilee. At this moment of glory, let us all remember the teachers, staff and management representatives whose dedicated services strengthened the growth of this institution in the last 75 years.
The story of St. Albert's beginning as a school in the year 1892 and becoming a college affiliated to Madras University on
16th of July, 1946, with 150 students is well known. Since its inception, the college has endeavoured to be a centre of excellence through self-evaluation and continual renewal in learning, teaching, research, consultancy and other related services.
I am informed that the efforts of the Educational and Charitable Trust of Archdiocese of Varapuzha, and the leadership of Patrons from the Late Archbishop Reverend
Dr. Joseph Attipettyto Reverend Dr. Joseph Kalathiparambil, the present Archbishop, have enabled the college to grow to an institution offering 17 degree courses, 12 post graduate courses and research in six subjects. I am certain that the international experience gained by Reverend Dr. Joseph Kalathiparambil, especially his association with the most respected Pope Francis, will help this college gain global exposure through academic cooperation.
As we all know, the greatest revolution of our times has been the knowledge explosion, which has changed many of our concepts about education. With the development of information and communication technology, even the shape of our classrooms has changed. As access to education and educational resources become easier, the monopoly of the teacher as a source of information is being challenged. Today, the teacher's role has become that of a facilitator, who would guide the students on the choice of information.
Educational institutions must use technology in as many areas of learning and teaching as possible. We have a good model in the National Programme of Technology Enhanced Learning [NPTEL], which has been designed and carried out by premier institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology. In fact, we should first encourage our teachers and students to upgrade their knowledge by using such resources and Massive On-line Open Courses [MOOC]. The next step should be to see if our institutions can offer such courses and skill training programmes. I hope the E-learning facility that we inaugurate in St Albert's College would take this autonomous institution to the next level in imparting knowledge.
Along with E-learning, we also have E-governance which would ensure speedy action as well as transparency. It is sad to note that much of the time of our students gets wasted in completing procedures and lining up to buy and fill up application forms. E-governance in education would make things easier for students. I feel that all educational institutions should set up e-governance and e-learning facilities so that students' interaction with the institution becomes smoother and transparent.
Since the ‘Vidyadhanam project’instituted by
Prof. K.V. Thomasis providing the facilities to roll out the
E-learning initiative, a word about the project will not be out of place. The ‘Vidyadhanam Project’has, over the years, been hailed as a forward looking educational scheme, which has been supporting the upgrading of infrastructure and offering a helping hand to the deserving meritorious students through various scholarships. Prof. K.V. Thomas, who has been a people’s representative for three decades, has always been responsive to the needs of students and institutions.
In fact, ‘Vidyaadhanam’ is a model that can be followed in other constituencies, too. I am happy to note that some people’s representatives have actually followed it and we see a renewed interest in legislators and parliamentarians to implement schemes that focus on education. I am reminded of the popular saying - ‘Vidyaadhanam sarva dhanaal pradhaanam’, meaning education is the greatest wealth.
I would conclude with a word of caution. e-learning and e-governance are great concepts, but, some of us have come to think of e-learning as merely the use of multimedia facilitates and Power Point presentations. Let us use them only as aids to learning and teaching and avoid over dependence on them so that we do not lose the power of creative thinking. Our education should empower us to use technology to our benefit and that of the society in general. Let us use technology as an enabler of progress and better democracy.
I once again convey my platinum jubilee wishes to the
St. Albert’s College community and hope the college will continue to excel in academic training and output. I am happy that the Archdiocese and the College had been active in serving the people affected by the recent floods. I hope you would also be equally active in the rebuilding of our State.
I also compliment the organizers for conducting this programme in a befitting manner.
Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Thank You
Jai Hind
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