Christian missionary institutions have made huge contributions to the field of education disproportionate to their numbers in the country, N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu , has said.
Christian organisations have done much better than similar organisations in the fields of education and health. The explanation for this is their complete dedication, selflessness, and clarity and commitment of their mission. It had to be proclaimed at a time when there are those who want to clip the wings of minority institutions, Mr. Ram said, while delivering the graduation day address at Women's Christian College.
Addressing the students, he said the education they had received had strengthened their innate capabilities, and prepared them for promising careers and a morally upright life. If about 4/5{+t}{+h} of all those graduating go out and make a serious career for themselves, it would be real progress, a breakthrough, Mr. Ram said. He urged students to be enthusiastic and committed about building their careers.
It was imperative for educational institutions to make entry accessible in a progressive and modern way, as much as it is important to ensure quality and excellence, Mr. Ram stressed. He quoted from Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen's work to indicate how education in the country was unbelievably ‘unequal.' The heart of the issue was the pursuit of quality and excellence on one hand and improving access to portals of learning simultaneously.
Several factors go into providing quality, including curriculum, teaching philosophy and methods, quality of faculty, fair, inclusive and transparent admissions and links with economic sectors, that will enable placements. Institutions would have to work hard to achieve quality and excellence, Mr. Ram added.
Later, he distributed prizes to the toppers.
Ridling Margaret Waller, principal, WCC, and Abraham Zachariah, president, WCC Association, spoke. Over 800 graduates received their certificates on the occasion.
