“Integral growth of the person is the need of the hour and teachers should strive to bring it about in the students,” said Most Rev. Dr. Antony Kariyil, the Bishop of Mandya. He was delivering the Convocation Address at St. Philomena’s Autonomous College on Friday at the College Indoor Stadium here.  

Referring to the changes that have taken place in post-independent India, quoting the Kothari Commission Report, he said, “there is one instrument and one instrument alone — EDUCATION — that can bring about a large scale change in the country. Quoting from M.N. Srinivas and social scientist Talcott Parsons, he delineated the pattern variables which impel people to make choices in dichotomous situation. The choice makes a difference. Growth is essential, not physical growth alone, but also in spiritual, psychological, aesthetic, emotional fields. He lauded St. Philomena’s College which for the last 71 years has been striving for the integral growth of those who pass through its portals.

Prof. Dayanand Mane, Acting Vice-Chancellor of Mysore University, addressing the graduating undergraduate and Post Graduate students, said that St. Philomena’s College has made its mark in imparting quality value-based education.  He opined that the contribution of Christian Missionaries to India was laudable. But for them many in India would have been deprived of education, especially higher education, he said adding that Christianity and Buddhism have given to the world values like equality, liberty and justice.

Most Rev. Dr. K.A. William, the Bishop of Mysore and the Chairman of Mysore Diocesan Education Society (MDES) which manages St. Philomena’s College, exhorted the graduating students to “know, love and serve.”

St. Philomena’s College, which was established in 1946, has students from 32 counties and 19 different States of India.  During the third Convocation, 269 UG students belonging to BA, B.Sc, B.Com, BBM, BSW and BCA streams and 161 PG students in Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, English, Social Work and Commerce received their Degree Certificates.

In all, 40 gold medals were awarded to students who secured first rank in each stream and those who secured highest marks in different subjects.

Prestigious cash awards with certificates instituted by Thamboochetty Foundation in memory of  Sir  T. Thamboochetty, who was the Personal Secretary of the Maharaja of Mysore were awarded to D. Christina (PG),  S. Harshitha (B.Com.), C.S. Prajna  (B.Sc) and Saroj Dung Dung (BA). Saroj  also bagged three gold medals.

Rev. Fr. Leslie Moras, Rector of the College, conducted a prayer service. Dr. Ruth Shanthakumari, Principal of the College, welcomed. Prof. M. Krishnegowda, former Principal, administered the oath to the graduating students. Prof. Othbert Pinto, Controller of Examination, was present. Rev.Fr. Bernard Prakash, Vice-Principal, proposed a vote of thanks.  Suhan Poovaiah compered.