William Butler Yeats an Irish Poet and dramatist says "Education is not the filling of pail but the lighting of a fire". In the same vein our former President of India, Dr A.P.J.Abdul Kalam often uses the expression "ignite the minds" with reference to youngsters.
Our search for knowledge must be like blazing flames. We need to yearn to acquire new concepts and innovative ideas, novel thoughts and original opinions. To acquire knowledge one needs to have curiosity and a probing mind. authentic and deep knowledge is acquired not by chance but when one seeks it with utmost diligence and keen and genuine interest. One's adherence to previous knowledge and age old tradition sometimes becomes a stumbling block in our endeavor for new learning. Failure to acquire now knowledge makes us mere imitations and this imitation makes us repeat what is learned without experiencing it. We cannot be mere reproducers of the already existing knowledge but we must become creative and original thinkers. Constant reflection on our life and society leads to a transformation in our life as well as in our society.
St.Joseph`s Pre-University College with its rich legacy and tradition, has the holistic development of the students as its primary concern. Thus fostering an education with a difference. We are not satisfied with merely teaching our students how to make a living but we are interested in teaching students hot to live. The motto of SJPUC has been "Empowering youth to serve others" Therefore we take on the responsibility of forming youngsters who are not only intellectually competent but socially conscious and spiritually vibrant.
We have begun another new academic year 2009 with much enthusiasm and fervor. New batch of students hove entered this campus with eagerness and zeal. It is a pleasure to watch them grow. Their willingness to learn and readiness to transform fills us with hope and the possibility of a new way of living.
Rev.Fr.Roshan Lobo, SJ