The Philosophical English Academy of St Joseph’s Institute of Philosophy (SJIP), in collaboration with the Chair in Christianity at Mangalore University (CIC, MU), organized a thought-provoking lecture on “The Role of Leaders in Shaping Skilled Youth” on January 22, 2025, at St Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalore. Dr Alwyn Misquith, Assistant Professor at St. Aloysius (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, was the keynote speaker, and the session was moderated by Rev. Fr Stany Pinto, Parish Priest of Holy Spirit Parish, Mukka.

The event commenced with a hymn to the Holy Spirit, invoking divine grace, followed by the recitation of the preamble to the Indian Constitution. Br Aashton D’Souza, the student coordinator of the Academy, extended a warm welcome to the guests and the gathering.

Dr Alwyn conducted an engaging and interactive session, sensitizing the audience to the current challenges faced by youth at the global, national, and local levels. He highlighted the importance of providing comprehensive guidance to young people in emotional, spiritual, educational, and career domains. Calling on participants to be empathetic and proactive leaders, D Alwyn emphasized the need to organize programs that develop essential skills in communication, leadership, problem-solving, and life management. He encouraged leaders to facilitate access to job opportunities, internships, and career guidance while inspiring youth to consider roles in the government sector.

Dr Alwyn also stressed the importance of fostering trust with youth by empowering them to take on leadership roles. He highlighted the necessity of cultivating skills such as conflict management, discernment, patience, and compassion to effectively mentor and collaborate with young people.

The session concluded with a lively interaction as participants posed questions to the speaker. Rev. Fr Stany Pinto provided closing remarks, summarizing the key takeaways of the discussion. The event saw active participation from Rev. Dr Ronald Serrao, Rector of the Seminary; Rev. Dr Ivan D’Souza, Director of SJIP and Head of CIC-MU; staff and students of both the St Joseph’s Institutes of Philosophy and Theology; and religious sisters from nearby convents. The program concluded with the singing of the Seminary Anthem, and Br Galvin, a first-year philosophy student, ably compered the event.

A distinctive feature of the Academy’s activities leading up to this session was the presentation of research papers on evolving societal issues by philosophy students. These monthly presentations included:

Team Chaitanya: “Understanding Gender Identity from Social, Psychological, and Religious Dimensions.”

Team Vikrama: “Evolution of Indian Agriculture: A Journey of Innovation and Growth.”

Team Tejas: “A Study on Judicial Efficiency of Indian Courts.”

Team Airavat: “An Analysis of the National Education Policy (NEP).”

Team Sahasrara: “Research on the Healthcare Sector.”

This holistic approach to learning and engagement reflects the commitment of SJIP to fostering critical thinking and leadership among students, equipping them to address contemporary challenges with insight and skill.