austraLasia #2296


Don Bosco University joint coordinator confirms inauguration date

GUWAHATI: 26th November 2008 --  After a brief visit to Rome, Fr Stephen Mavely SDB, joint coordinator and likely Vice Chancellor of the long-awaited Don Bosco University project in North East India confirms that the inauguration date is now set for 6th December 2008. It was delayed from an earlier date due to unrest in Assam at the time. The Government of Assam has been a prime mover in establishing this university, having passed the Assam Private Universities Act in May 2007 to make it possible for DBU to come into existence.  The Chief Minister of Assam is expected to be the one who officially inaugurates the new institution.
    The Government, not only in Assam but also at federal level in India, has recognised the Salesian Society as the largest non-government provider of technical education in the country. North East India is also seen as an important gateway to East Asia (recognised as such in the Indian Government's 'Look East' policy). With a background of 25 degree colleges in India, 54 institutions at university level around the world, 14 of them fully-fledged universities, the Salesians in India decided some years back to 'Seize the day' (Carpe Diem is the motto of the new DBU) and set up a university in a part of the country where 'Catholic Church' is synonymous with Don Bosco and together they are seen as the greatest single force in development in the North East.
    Fr Stephen pointed out, during his Rome visit, that DBU is to offer three thrust areas of study and research - a Technology Sector emphasising information technology and biotechnology, a Service Sector looking at Management, Nursing, Pharmacology, Teacher Education, Communications amongst other areas, and a Service Sector with courses and research in religion and culture, the world of youth, justice and peace, peoples and movements, emphasising tribal and indigenous culture studies. In all, a meaningful blend of science, religion and technology.
    Typical of a Salesian institution, DBU aims to provide a 'finishing' element to all its graduates, making them eminently 'dependable, employable and socially committed'. It goes further. Plans are well-advanced to provide, alongside the university, a school for up to a thousand under-privileged children. The university is also looking at what it will be able to do to give recognition to diplomas and certificates issued by the 180 or so Salesian institutions (at every level) in the country which provide technical education for young people from the lowest social stratas. A team is also exploring opportunities for distance education using the very technology it will offer research in to reach out to remote areas especially of the North East.
    At a time when India is being sorely tried by harbingers of violence, DBU is indeed good news.
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Title: australasia 2296
Subject and key words: S Asia ING DBU
Date (year): 2008
ID: 2000-2099|2296