Prof Newman Fernandes – A Visionary
A Tribute to Prof. Newman Fernandes on his 60th Birthday on 11th March, 2010
By Tomazinho Cardozo
Professor Newman Fernandes, a former Principal of Rosary College of
Commerce and Arts and of St. Xavier’s College Mapusa is an educationist
par excellence. His commitment to education is great and hence he always
encourages his staff as well as students to venture in novel projects in
order to achieve greater heights in life. Although diminutive in stature
he is a tall personality in the field of education.
His achievements in the field of education are trend setters. In fact he
was responsible to start a new College, Rosary College of Commerce &
Arts in Navelim, for the Archdiocese of Goa & Daman. In fact he was its
Founder-Principal. The zeal with which he served the student community
in that college, could take the young college to greater heights in the
educational arena. His consistent efforts gave a new direction to
higher education in South Goa. He introduced many new academic
disciplines as per the needs of the time thereby helping the students to
be well equipped to face new challenges in life.
When he was given the Principal’s responsibility of St. Xaviers
College, Mapusa he left no stones unturned to take the college at a
higher level not only educationally but in all respects. During his
tenure as Principal of St. Xavier's College, Mapusa, Goa, he piloted the
project of 'College with Potential for Excellence', and St. Xavier’s
College Mapusa was selected as one of the Best 47 Colleges out of
15,000 Colleges in India, in 2004. St. Xavier’s College attracts the
largest number of students in Goa. He always believed in discipline. His
commitment to his duties had no limits. He worked very hard and he
wanted all his staff to perform their duties in the same way. He was a
result oriented man. These qualities in him compelled the concerned
authorities to reassess St. Xavier's College, Mapusa. The reassessment
resulted in reaccrediting St. Xavier’s College with 'A' Grade by the
National Assessment and Accreditation Council. He introduced 50 Capacity
Building Strategies at St. Xaviers College to help College students face
the challenges of the modern world. His achievements in the educational
field in Goa were not recognized in his own state the way it was done
elsewhere in India. He was awarded the Dr. Sam Higginbottom award for
being selected as the best college principal in India.
By now he had many admirers in the educational field of our country. His
contributions in numerous seminars, national as well as international,
have created an impact in the minds of educationists. He was considered
a man of action. Hence all Christian Colleges in India, elected him as
the President of All India Association for Christian Higher Education. A
rare honour to a Goan educationist indeed!
Yet another very important contribution of Prof. Newman Fernandes to
Higher Education in the state of Goa was the Semester System, Continuous
assessment, new disciplines, etc. He was appointed Chairman of the Goa
University Curriculum Restructuring Committee and as the Chairman he was
instrumental in introducing for the first time the Semester System,
Continuous assessment, new disciplines, up-to-date syllabi etc. In order
to improve the quality of Higher Education in the state of Goa, the
Government constituted Goa Government Integrated Education Advisory
Council, of which he was nominated a member. He prepared the draft for
the State Policy for Higher Education.
A true environmentalist and conservationist he was given the
responsibility of the Secretary of the Committee for the Conservation of
the Archiepiscopal Palace (oldest Western Civil building in India). It
secured the UNESCO Asia Pacific Award for Conservation. He resigned
voluntarily as the Principal of St. Xavier’s College Mapusa. This
unfortunate happening has affected adversely the cause of education, not
only in St. Xavier’s but in the whole state of Goa.
The man who can produce results has no difficulties in getting suitable
assignments in this competitive world. Being very popular among the
educationist in the country, he was flooded with offers in numerous
educational institutions in the country. He was appointed Dean, Faculty
of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Education, SHIATS -DU, Allahabad.
Subsequently he was given more responsibilities such as Director,
Directorate of Distance Education, SHIATS-DU, Allahabad, Director,
Directorate of Professional and Lifelong Education , SHIATS-DU, etc., etc.
Prof. Newman Fernandes is a prolific writer and a thinker too. He has
written and published several books and articles on various issues. He
has presented numerous papers on important national and global issues in
national and international seminars. He is an excellent organizer and
has organized and conducted over 60 International, National and state
level Seminars/Workshops. He has participated in 75 International,
National & State level seminars. Prof. Newman is a multifaceted
personality in the field of education.
Prof. Newman Fernandes is completing 60 years of his life on 11th March,
2010. His friends and well wishers have formed Prof. Newman Fernandes
Felicitation Committee to felicitate this towering educational
personality of Goa. Shri. Digamber Kamat, Chief Minister will do the
honours of felicitating Prof. Newman in the presence of Rev. Dr. Raul
Gonsalves, Archbishop Emeritus and Prof. Dr. D. Deobagkar, Vice
Chancellor of Goa University on 11th March, 2010 at 5.00 p.m. at
Auditorium 1, Marquinez Palace, Panjim. Let us all join in the
felicitation. ‘Ad Multos Anos’ Prof. Newman Fernandes!
================================================
First published in Navhind Times - March 7, 2010
