Media Release

Mangaluru, May 30: St Aloysius College Higher Primary School, Kodialbail, in association with the alumni association, organized a staff orientation programme to mark the beginning of the academic year 2025-26. The session was held on Wednesday, May 28.

The resource person for the programme was Dr Mona Mendonca, assistant professor and head of the department of history at St Aloysius (Deemed to be University), Mangaluru. Dr Mendonca’s academic interests centre on women’s studies and Church historiography. She earned her doctorate with a thesis titled 'The Apostolic Carmel Congregation: Women's education and social change in Coastal Karnataka'.

A certified soft skills trainer and motivational speaker, Dr Mendonca has conducted over 100 workshops and orientation sessions for both students and faculty. Her research contributions have been widely published in reputed academic journals and magazines. Her forthcoming book, 'Umabai Kundapura: Beyond boundaries', is slated for publication by the Karnataka Sahitya Academy, Bengaluru.

The programme commenced with a prayer song. Neil Rodrigues, executive member of the alumni association, warmly welcomed the resource person and presented her with a bouquet on behalf of the school. He also extended a cordial welcome to Fr Johnson D’Souza SJ, correspondent of the school, Jositta Noronha, headmistress, other executive members of the alumni association and the teaching staff.

Celestine Vaz introduced the speaker, highlighting her academic and professional achievements.

In her address, Dr Mendonca spoke on the mindset of an effective educator, student expectations from teachers, and shared the “Ten commandments for effective educators.” The session included engaging ice-breaking activities that emphasised the value of teamwork and collaboration.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by the headmistress, Jositta Noronha, who expressed her appreciation to the resource person and the alumni association for their support.