MoU signed with Planet Hope Foundation, Rotterdam, Netherlands

On the 15^thof October, 2019, there was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Planet Hope Foundation, Rotterdam, Netherlands and the Department of Social Work, St. Joseph’s College (Autonomous), Bengaluru, India. Thirteen delegates from Netherlands, the Registrar of the college, Dr.Melwin Colaco, and the faculty members of the Department of Social Work met at3: 00 PM in the Auditorium Block of the college. The main objective of the gathering was the singing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two parties. Specifically, the MoU was being signed to express the willingness of both the parties in promoting collaborations in the spirit of institutional friendships and cultural, educational and scientific cooperation. The Head of the Department, Lt. Akshay D Mandlik, made the opening remarks and encouraged everyone to introduce themselves which was obliged. This was followed by a brief overview and description of the history of the college and the Department by Prof. D. Kiran Jeevan, PRO of the college and Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work. This was followed by a discussion between both parties about how to promote secularism among the students in Netherlands. The delegates wanted to know how it was done in India and in the college in particular. The members of the Department explained about the various programmes being organsied by the college to promote inter-religious harmony including the HRD classes. The delegates stated their desire to adopt many such efforts of the college and apply them in the Netherlands as well.  The discussion ended with an explanation of the purpose of the MoU by Dr. Alan Godfrey, Assistant Professor and PG Coordinator, Department of Social Work, St. Joseph’s College (Autonomous), Bengaluru. He stated that there were three major areas of collaboration proposed as part of the MoU, they were- faculty exchange, academic, and research collaboration between both parties. This was followed by the singing of the MoU by representatives of both parties followed by a vote of thanks by Dr. Godfrey and a group photograph which brought the meeting to a fruitful conclusion.