Fr Agnel College Of Arts And Commerce: Creating An Inclusive Learning Environment For The Students To Excel

Prof. Savio P. Falleiro
Prof. Savio P. Falleiro, Principal Fr Agnel College Of Arts And Commerce
Fr. Agnel College of Arts & Commerce, Goa is a Minority Institution which was established under Article 30(I) of the Indian Constitution in June 1991 by the Xaverian Educational Society, which belongs to the Society of Pilar. The College offers Arts, Commerce and Computer Applications UG degree programmes, Ph.D. in Commerce and Economics, besides diploma in Proficiency in English. Fr. Agnel College of Arts & Commerce is affiliated to Goa University and is currently ranked by NAAC with Grade ‘A’. This pioneering educational institution also boasts an IGNOU Study Centre on its campus. Fr. Agnel College of Arts & Commerce was established with the altruistic intention of making available quality education to all. For close to three decades the overwhelming majority of students of the institute have been from reserved and socio-eco-nomically poor backgrounds, with many being first generation learners.

Also, the majority of the students at the institute are girls. The College is firmly ground-ed by its Motto ‘Success lies in Honest Toil’, its Vision ‘An institution of excellence that builds competencies in all, irrespective of background; a dynamic stakeholder and leader in empowerment, social progress, and nation building’, and its Mission ‘To provide quality higher education to all including the socially, economically and academically challenged students and through ‘Honest Toil’ build successful citizen’s in all walks of life who will sustain the ethos of our great country through imbibed values of Truth, Love and Justice to all’.

Nurturing Holistic Student Development

“With the firm belief in holistic education, teaching-learning goes beyond classrooms, chalk-blackboard and PPTs/LCDs, at Fr Agnel College Learning is enhanced through exposure to seminars, conferences, guest-lectures, field-trips, student-teacher exchange programmes etc. Numerous skill enhancement job / hob-by-oriented certificate courses are conducted regularly at the institute. These are provided at subsidized rates or even free for the students as well.

“For updating knowledge, inculcating leadership and organizational skills among the students, the college organizes numerous programmes, seminars, conferences at the state, national and international levels”

Initiatives of campus training and entrepreneurial development have often led to auto-recruitment of their students and a dedicated teaching, mentoring, counseling and remedial classes ensure academic success at the final University exams. To get focused assured guidance, expertise and resources, the College has numerous tie-ups/MOUs with reputed academic/non-academic/industry-based institutions within/outside Goa. Fr. Agnel College of Arts & Commerce creates enough opportunities for students to participate in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities as well. In a special way it gives substantial importance to extension-cum-outreach programmes. We were also among the select institutions in India under the UBA programme.

It can be stated with pride that the College does exceedingly well in all spheres, including achievements at the national and international levels. Over the years Fr. Agnel College of Arts & Commerce has also been the proud winner of numerous champion-ships in cultural and sports events including cycling, football, athletics, tennis, volleyball and hockey”, says Prof. Savio P. Falleiro who is the Principal of the institute when asked about the learning atmosphere provided to the students at Fr Agnel College.

“Fr. Agnel college does not believe in just bringing the best in students in terms of academics, but in making them wholesome and responsible citizens; that besides catering to students, it is also necessary to make the local community strong and sustainable”

It is a firm belief of the Management of the institute that every student, irrespective of background, should be exposed to the best of infrastructure/facilities. Accordingly, the same are provided by way of ICT enabled class-rooms, smart rooms, laboratories (computer, research and language), FDA approved canteen, central library, conference room, meeting room, WiFi, CCTV surveillance, uninterrupted power supply, fire safety compliance etc. Special facilities are available for the differently-abled, including books, maps and computer keyboard in Braille; ramps; washroom; lift; etc. Having sister institutions in the vicinity on the approximate 10 acres campus has added advantage for the College in terms of state-of-the-art Seminar Halls, Auditorium, Printing Institute, Museum, Basketball court, Football ground and other playgrounds.

Considering their backgrounds in order to support the students the College has two strong practices in place: (i) Scholarships and (ii) Other Welfare measures. While with regards the former in addition to all government scholarships offered, financial assistance from Management, Donors and Philanthropists is also made available; with regards to the latter, Fr. Agnel College of Arts & Commerce has numerous initiatives like instalment payment of fees; free mid-day snack for the needy; subsidized stationery, photocopying and printing; free/subsidized sanitary pads; free medical check-ups/follow-ups and more.

Constant Development through Continuous Training

For updating knowledge, inculcating leadership and organizational skills among the students, the College organizes numerous programmes, seminars, conferences at the state, national and international levels. Teachers are also deputed for subject/non-subject related training. Though Fr. Agnel College of Arts & Commerce is relatively small as in Goa they generally are, the number of overall faculty with PhD/MPhil and those registered for PhD, is a healthy figure of 62% (figure in terms of full time faculty). Faculty/Staff Development programmes are organized every year to ensure the Staff is abreast on various matters. Even amidst the pandemic, the college ensure that the students receive top-notch education even while they are learning from their homes. Incidentally, the pandemic has also brought the best of their staff, students and alumni.

Fr. Agnel College of Arts & Commerce prides as a centre for GREEN initiatives. Encompassing energy conservation, waste management and water conservation the initiatives help create awareness not only for staff/students, but to various local self-governing bodies and public as well. ‘Green’ installations on campus include fire wood boiler; khamba, black soldier larvae and aerobic composters; bio-gas plant; waterless urinals; provision for solar-lamps; kitchen waste-water recycler; special (compost) chamber for used bio-degradable sanitary pads etc. In fine, Fr. Agnel College does not believe in just bringing the best in students in terms of academics, but in making them wholesome and responsible citizens; that besides catering to students, it is also necessary to make the local community strong and sustainable.

Prof. Savio P. Falleiro, Principal, Fr Agnel College Of Arts And Commerce

Creating A Unique Platform For The Students To Thrive And Excel In An Inclusive Learning Environment, Professor Savio Aims To Have A Positive Impact In The Students Lives.

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