St Joseph’s Institute of Philosophy (SJIP), in collaboration with St Aloysius (Deemed to be University), hosted an engaging and thought-provoking debate session on Wednesday, January 14, at the seminary campus. The programme served as an enriching academic exercise, encouraging students to enhance their critical thinking, communication, and listening skills.

The event commenced at 2:30 p.m. with an inaugural session graced by several distinguished dignitaries, including Dr Rose Veera D’Souza, Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities, St Aloysius (Deemed to be University); Rev. Dr Rajesh Rosario, Rector of St Joseph Seminary; Vishal Nayak, Assistant Professor, Department of Media and Communication; Rev. Dr Ivan D’Souza, Director of SJIP; and Rev. Fr Nelson D’Almeida, faculty member of SJIP.

The programme began with the recitation of the Preamble to the Indian Constitution, reflecting the ideals and vision of the nation. Rev. Dr Ivan D’Souza formally welcomed the gathering and set the tone for the session, while Rev. Fr Nelson D’Almeida explained the methodology and structure of the debate. The inaugural session was ably compered by Br Akash.

The debate revolved around the topic, ‘Is Social Media a Bane or a Boon?’ Students from SJIP and St Aloysius (Deemed to be University) were divided into two groups to critically examine the positive and negative dimensions of social media.

The first phase of the programme involved group discussions, during which participants collaboratively shared ideas and prepared their arguments. This was followed by the formal debate, during which group leaders presented impactful keynote speeches. Both teams passionately defended their positions, offering well-reasoned arguments and thoughtful counterpoints.

Vishal Nayak moderated the debate and delivered insightful concluding remarks. He commended the students for their enthusiasm and active participation, emphasizing the importance of such academic platforms in nurturing effective communication, attentive listening, and critical thinking skills.

The session was well received by participants from both institutions, who described it as a valuable opportunity for knowledge exchange and the broadening of perspectives. The programme concluded with the singing of the National Anthem, leaving the students inspired and eager for future collaborative initiatives.

The debate session marked a significant step in fostering academic interaction and mutual learning between SJIP and St Aloysius (Deemed to be University), setting a strong precedent for future engagements.