"Institution is what a person does to reach out to the people in any way they can!"

Rendezvous with Visiting Dignitaries of Daystar University, Kenya

 

17th October 2024 | A Report

 

The interaction with the Kenyan delegates conducted on 17th October 2024 reached its fruition to the most.

The event organised by the Office of the Dean of International Programmes was so meticulously coordinated by the student representatives Mr. Sabarinathan, Ms. Lindsay Rose Jordy, Ms. Alphy Benny and Ms. Zibiah Merin Kuriakose.

The meeting began at 06.00 p.m., with the College Prayer led by Ms. Zibiah Merin from I M. A English to invoke the blessings of Lord Almighty. Ms. Alphy Benny walked us throughout the event as a wonderful MC.

 

The Vice Chancellor of Daystar University, Prof. Laban Peter Ayiro PhD, Dr. Caroline Ayuya Muaka, Prof. Samuel Muriithi PhD and Rev. Prof. P.E. Chandran PhD joined the meeting as the representatives of Daystar University, Nairobi, Kenya.

The formal meeting was initiated by a hearty welcome address by Dr. Samuel Rufus, Dean of International Programmes, MCC.

 

This was followed by Dr. P. E Chandran's Address to the gathering.

 

Rev. Prof. P. E. Chandran, Alumnus of MCC - a student of the first batch of Statistics (1961-1965), and Professor of Statistics in MCC from 1970 to 1984. Dr. Chandran then went to Kenya as mission partner from the CSI Diocese of Madras in 1985, and served in Kenya from 1984 to 1989 and from 2008 to 2015 and in Zambia from 2004 to 2008.

Dr. Chandran also served as Head of the Research, Consultancy, and Publication with Daystar University, Nairobi, Kenya, for ten years.

 

He stood in front of the panel as a proud alumnus of MCC who was extremely delighted to reunite with his alma mater. He reminisced his humble background and the newfound freedom MCC had provided him as a student and faculty, to reach new heights.

 

On his motive behind this initiative to connect MCC and Daystar University, he implied the commonality of the establishment of both the institutes by Christian missionaries; and the quality of education both strive to facilitate. He stated that the motive of an educational institution should be to remove ignorance. His humble background found a new freedom in MCC.

 

Quoting Dr. Chandran, “Institution is what a person does to reach out to the people in any way they can."

 

In this world where education is becoming global and cross-cultural, the educated should be able to reach out to the deprived in any way they can.

 

The Kenyan delegates were then honoured by a shawl and memento along with a copy of the book The Life And Legacy of Madras Christian College.

 

Copies of two books authored by Dr. Chandran titled, Youth in An African City: A report on Nairobi Youth, and Survey and Consultation and Research Methodology: A Quantitative Approach, were also donated to the College Library, and to the Department of Statistics in this event.

 

In the Vice Chancellor’s response that followed, Mr. Laban Peter Ayiro quoted, "This is delightful."

 

His first-hand experience of an Indian Christian denominational College was quite unimaginable for him. He briefly introduced the faculty members who accompanied him, briefed the meeting about Daystar University and its activities, and also introduced the major courses they provide. Our Principal Dr. Paul Wilson felicitated the members and introduced the campus and culture of MCC to the panelists.

 

The most awaited moment - the interaction of delegates with the Deans, HoDs and Faculty members of MCC was hosted after this. The floor opened an arena for expressing interest in a variety of International collaborations and research. Dr. J .Jannet VenniIa, Vice Principal of MCC initiated the interactions.

 

Dr. Prince Annadurai, Head of the Department of Social Work, expressed the department's interest to collaborate with them in research particularly relevant to the courses of Community Development and Clinical Psychology.

 

Dr. Belinda, the Director of Extension Office, offered to facilitate International Interdisciplinary short term cultural immersion programmes, first-hand experience and training in traditional folk art, and exposure to rural camps, for the students of Daystar University. She also proposed to provide them with long term internships along with supervisors.

 

Dr. Tabitha, Dean of R&D, Dr. Aarthi Ram, Head of Operations, MCC MRF Innovation Park, Dr. Armstrong, Head of the Department of Business administration, Dr. Nirmala Mohan, Head, Department of Commerce (SFS), and many more faculty members expressed their interest in global collaborations with Daystar in student exchange programs, research and start up collaborations, and a variety of online and offline courses.

 

The question posed by Abdul Sahed Raza, our student from I B.A Philosophy, assisted by Joshin Chacko from I BSc Physics was the true eye opener of the meeting. He asked about the provisions available for differently-abled students to get good International education opportunities. Prof. Laban addressed that this was truly a part he hadn't thought of so far and promised to look into this matter seriously and inform the follow-ups.

 

The delegates from Daystar responded to the faculty interactions with great enthusiasm. Prof. Laban Peter implied the necessity to deliberately encourage these cultural interactions to explore morality in exchange, and to chisel us into better human beings.

 

Dr. Samuel Muriithi reiterated the quality of teaching and learning to be imparted to create a community of good people.

 

Dr. Caroline Ayuya Muaka too welcomed the cultural exchanges and proposed to even shape a cross-cultural curriculum in the future to propagate these notions. Their response ended on a positive note, expressing their interest to sign an MoU with MCC.

 

To convey our love and gratitude, Prof. J. Arun Kumar, Associate Dean of International Programmes, presented the Vote of Thanks. The meeting concluded by 07.20 p.m, with an official photo session with the visiting dignitaries and Officials of our College.

 

Minutes by: Zibiah Merin Kuriakose I M.A English

 

PS: The Office of International Programmes wishes to thank our beloved Principal Dr. Paul Wilson and Dr. Miriam Kalpana Simon, Head, Dept of Statistics, for having initiated this wonderful academic engagement between the two institutions.