East Meets West! Int’l Exchange on Tech Education between Germans/Britishers & SAITI
East Meets West! International Exchange on Technical Education between Germans/Britishers & St Aloysius Indian Technical Institute (ITI)
Mangaluru: St Aloysius Industrial Training Institute (SAITI)-Mangaluru, a unit of St Aloysius Institutions run by the Jesuit Priests ( Society of Jesus Congregation) having a legacy of hundred and thirty-one years of service, was established in 1981. SAITI is an institution with a distinctive academic profile, blending itself in commitment to rural ethos and modern spirit is preparing the rural youth for the modern challenges of today. It’s a giant step towards empowering rural youth by training them with job oriented trades. In Conformity with the regulation of the Directorate General of Employment and training (D.G.E.T) under the ministry of labour, St Aloysius ITI is training the students in the technical field ever since it started in 1981, is now permanently affiliated to NCVT new Delhi, Govt.of India of Karnataka with grant in aid.
St Aloysius I.T.I. is rendering quality training to its students and makes them self reliant in various fields at per with industrial requirements. Training is given in 9 different trades of one year or two years duration. After the successful completion of training in the relevant trade, the trainee is eligible for appearing the All India Trade Test (AITT) conducted by NCVT and is awarded the National Trade Certificate (NTC) from the Government of India. This Certificate is valid and Gives preference in getting service during the placement in the National and International Companies. In addition to these, since last two years SAITI has launched two Skill Development Centres, partnering with two renowned companies, namely Hyundai Company; and Arvind Motors-Mangaluru- and the third Skill Development Centre was launched recently in association with Jaquar Group (a multi-diversified bathroom solutions brand).
Apart from support from these companies, SAITI has also received help from their well-wishers from Germany and England for the growth and development of this institution, and five of these well-wishers, three from Germany and Two from England had come down to pay a visit to this unique Technical Institution, which is one of the best Technical Institution in Karnataka State. A programme called “International Exchange on Technical Education” was held today, 7 November at St Aloysius ITI graced by chief guest Writer Founder of Kudmi Janapad Kala Vedika, M.Gopal Gowda; along with guests of honor, namely Fr (Dr) Leo D’souza Sj- Former Rector of St Aloysius Institutions/Former Director-SAITI; Dr Frank Heuer, his wife Monika Heuer and son, Robert Heuer (from Germany); Ms Dinah Findlay and Ms Rosemary Illingworth (both from England); Fr Eric Mathias Sj- Director-SAITI; and Vincent Mendonca- Principal, SAITI.
The programme began with invoking God’s blessings through a prayer song rendered by the students of SAITI, followed by welcome address by Vincent Mendonca, the Principal. Fr (Dr) Leo D’souza Sj introduced his three German friends whom he been associated with for decades, while he was doing his studies in Germany. Fr D’Souza had done his theology studies in Frankfurt, Germany from 1962 to 1966 and his Ph.D and post doctoral studies at the Max-Planck Institute at Cologne, Germany from 1966 till 1972. During these years he had made a large number of friends from all over Germany. The friends kept contact with him after his return to India by visiting him and sending him letters and greeting cards- and among these friends, where the Heuer Family who graced today’s occasion.
Director of SAITI Fr Eric Mathias Sj introducing his two guests from England said, ” These two Britishers, and also our three German friends are not super rich, but they are rich in their hearts. They like to contribute part of their wealth to the needy, especially NGO’s which take care of children. These not so rich family members, are ever ready to help the under-privileged and needy in India. Whenever they visit India, we make it a point to invite them to our programmes, and this being one of them. Dr Heuer Family has contributed a lot to the building and growth of this institution nearly 10 years ago. I can’t offer these Good hearted Samaritans a gold or Silver plaque, but I always remember them in my daily prayers. May God bless these generous folks from Germany and England”.
Chief guest M Gopal Gowda- Founder of Kudmi Janapad Kala Vedika, and also the recipient of ‘Mandd Sobhann Kalakar Puraskar Award 2017’ recently (awarded on 5 November) was felicitated during the occasion by the dignitaries on the dais. He has been also awarded the Rajyotsava District Level honour for his contribution to Kudmi Folklore. Gowda is an accomplished Kudmi Folklore artiste. His troupe is well known in the world of folklore with more than 200 performances rendered in India. Gowda’s research on Kudmi folklore is remarkable. He is the first ever Kudmi writer, and many of his research write-ups have appeared in Konkani and Kannada periodicals, research magazines and in text books.
Gowda has presented his research papers at several seminars and symposiums and presented shows on Doordarshan. His troupe has been granted Scholarships by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture. Gowda was awarded with ‘Janapad Prashasti ‘in 2002 by the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademi. He has been honoured by more than 17 cultural organizations. He is a guide and a resource person for several folklore enthusiasts who have come to him from distant lands like Germany, Switzerland, Canada, England. His writings and publications are a treasure-trove of Kudmi history, dialects, sects, their culture with traditions and beliefs. Gowda a man of very humble and simple nature, presently serves in the Konkani Institute of St.Aloysius College (Autonomous), Mangaluru.
Receiving the honor, addressing the audience Gopal Gowda said, ” I feel so proud and humble to receive this honor from this prestigious institution. In life you need to be humble and simple, then only you can achieve your goal. I am person of simplicity, and for my simplicity, God has blessed me and I have accomplished a lot in my life. I have been rejected by many, but the same people who had rejected me had come forward to honor me recently, and I felt great about it. To all you students, my advise is that be humble, simple, respect your adults and teachers, lead a decent life, concentrate and dedicate yourself to your career- and trust me, success will be all yours. may God bless you all”.
The five foreign guests were also felicitated during the occasion with a shawl, garland and fruit basket. Robert Heuer speaking after being felicitated said, ” Being a technical student myself, I bring greetings to you all from Germany. You should all know that technical education is very much needed throughout the world, and you should be glad that you have picked up the right career. Knowledgeable and experienced technical people are very much wanted anywhere in the world. Trust me once you complete your technical course, there will be jobs waiting for you. Best of luck in your tech career”.
Dinah Findlay speaking said, ” Technical education in UK is different from India- In UK you have to be 18 years old to join the technical course. And since there are not too many trained and experienced technical personnel in UK, many technicians come from other far Eastern countries- and they are making good money once they are in UK. Just remember you are in the right profession, and you won’t regret for taking up this technical career. There is money coming in this field-so have faith and interest in your tech career, and when you come out as a trained tech, try to start your own business and also in the meantime train others. The world needs people like you-best of luck”.
Rosemary addressing the students said, ” If you have a dream, then work hard to make that dream come true. The most precious thing we have in our life is our dreams. Your dreams are unique to you, and no one has a dream that is exactly like yours in every way. Everything you think you have you don’t, nothing will last forever. Your life can be summed up with two words: “Your Dream.” When all is said and done, whether you did or didn’t achieve your dream is the only measure of success there is. The journey of your dream is really just the journey of your life. I know that you are all dreaming of becoming professional techs and contribute your service to your nation or world- so dream big, work, and study hard- and you’ll achieve your goal”.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Miss Vandana, a SAITI staff, while the entire programme was professionally compered by Alwyn Menezes, a SAITI lecturer. Training faculty at SAITI, Romius D’souza- was the Programme Convener. The formal function ended with cultural programme featuring various Indian tradition dances, including Pili Nalike (Tiger dance)- which enthralled our Western friends, and they loved and enjoyed every bit of it- even clicking snaps and selfies. In addition to all this fun and frolic, they also enjoyed the authentic coastal vegetarian meal, accompanied with a touch of non-veg- a whole fried Pomfret of Bangude (Mackerel) fish. Bon Apetit!
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I request Indians to stop turning every event into dance-song and entertainment. I don’t see a reason for yakshagaana and pili vesha in an event related to ‘technical’ education. We should try to focus more on the technology, arrange trade shows, technical demo, projects etc. This is the only way we can compete with rest of the world. Unfortunately, even big multi-national companies like TCS, Cognizant, Infosys and others have the same mindset. There is a complete lack of innovation.