Under the banner, JESCOL – 01 “Towards Proactive Partnerships,” the faculty development program for the 47 newly recruited faculty members of Bangalore Jesuit Educational Society (BJES) was conducted at the St Joseph’s Institute of Management (SJIM) campus Bangalore on 02-03 August 2024.

This FDP gave an opportunity for the newly joined teaching faculty of St. Joseph's College of Commerce (SJCC), St. Joseph's PU College (SJPUC), St. Joseph’s College of Law (SJCL), St. Joseph’s Boys School (SJBHS), and St Joseph’s Institute of Management (SJIM) to interact and spend time with the management. The intense two-day program saw active collaboration from the participants. The speakers included both Jesuits and lay collaborators, providing an opportunity to understand the history and philosophy of the Jesuit Order and how the Jesuits run their institutions. Specifically, it highlighted the role of the teaching staff as Jesuit Collaborators (JESCOL) and not merely as employees of this historical and global organization.

The speakers included Fr Dionysius Vaz, SJ the Provincial of Karnataka Jesuit Province and President of BJES, Fr Joseph D’Mello, SJ, Fr Arun Luis SJ, Fr Shantharaj T. SJ, Dr Caren Rodrigues, Dr Ruqsana Anjum, Dr Paul Newman, Ms Renuka Zachariah, Fr Olvin Veigas, SJ, Fr Jerald D’Souza, SJ, and Mr Ebenezer Sam. The topics included Jesuit history: origin and growth, Examination of Conscience + practical session, Jesuit legacy: purpose, vision, mission, Jesuits: leadership and governance, collaboration and overview of the Karnataka Jesuit Province and KPAP’s, Jesuits and option for the poor, Characteristics of Jesuit education, Contemporary Indian Situation: Need for Interreligious Dialogue, Peace Initiatives and Social Action, Bembala/samagra/twinning, etc. The FDP workshop also included a panel and group discussions in which the faculty members of BJES institutions shared their experiences on collaboration with Jesuits and others.

Fr Daniel Fernandes, SJ the Rector of Jesuit Nivas and Vice-President of BJES inaugurated the FDP, inviting the JESCOL participants to try to understand who Jesuits are and why they do things the way they do. Fr Manoj D’Souza, SJ, the Director of SJIM, welcomed the gathering and wished well for the program. Fr Ashwin Cordeiro, SJ, conducted the group dynamics and team building. Fr Olvin Veigas SJ coordinated the entire two day program with the able assistance of Ms Joyce, Mr Jeno S, and Mr Philip D’Souza.

The event was organized on 02-03 August 2024

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