UAE Agnesian-Aloysian Alumni Contribute to Alma Maters
 
Report : Oswald M D’Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Abu Dhabi
 
Abu Dhabi, Jun 26: The alumni of Mangalore's St Aloysius and St Agnes Colleges in UAE, contributed INR 7,50,000 each towards their alma mater from the proceeds collected during the "Agnesian-Aloysian Alumni Re-union" held on February 10 this year at Al Jazira Hotel and Resort in Ghantoot, which lies on the Dubai - Abu Dhabi Highway.
 
During their recent visit to Mangalore, on behalf of the Agnesian Alumni Shobha and Jacintha Mendonca handed over the Indian cheque to St Agnes College principal Dr Sr Marie Prem D’Souza. Likewise on behalf of the Aloysian Alumni, James Mendonca handed over a cheque for Indian rupees to Fr Walter Andrade and the principal of the College Fr Swebert D’Silva.

The managements of both the colleges thanked the Agnesians and Aloysians for their support and regards towards their alma mater.
 
To date the Agnesians have contributed Indian rupees 22,52,432 since 2001. As specified by the UAE Agnesian Alumni the interest earned from the amount placed in a trust is utilized for the education of underprivileged deserving students in the college.
 
The funds contributed by the UAE Aloysian Alumni has been utilized as follows:
 
1997 :Rs 137,800 towards mid-day meals to poor students of college
1999 : Instituted 12 scholarships amounting to Rs 150,000 in St Aloysius College and 5 scholarships amounting to Rs 50,000 in St Aloysius High School, towards education, sports, and extra curricular activities
2001 : Rs 200,000 towards IT building under the name of Aloysian Alumni in the UAE
2005 : Rs 20,000 towards sports kits. Rs 200,000 towards the acquisition of computers and overhead projectors for the college.
2007 : Rs 455,781 towards sponsorship of 5 students and 5 undergraduate students with good academic background.
2009 : Rs 550,000 towards scholarships to poor children
2011 : Rs 7,50,000 towards scholarships to poor children
 
In total the Aloysian alumni in the UAE have contributed IRS 25,93,581 towards various schemes outlined above since 1997 till to date.
 
The concept of alumni movement was started in the UAE way back in 1997 with the initiative of Jerome Pereira - veteran Konkani writer along with like-minded Aloysians based in the UAE. This concept has now spread all over the Gulf and other countries.
 
The first re-union of the Aloysians was held on November 22, 1997 at Al Jazeera Resort in Ghantoot, Dubai-Abu Dhabi Highway under the chairmanship of Jerome Pereira:
 
The second re-union was held on January 22, 1999 under the chairmanship of Robert Rego at Al Mafraq Hotel, Abu Dhabi.
 
In 2001 onwards the Agnesians in the UAE joined the Aloysians and the first combined re-unioin was held under the chairmanship of Ronald D’Cunha and Obaida Shawkat. Following a lull for three years the next re-union was held at Al Jazira Resorts under the chairmanship of Shobha Mendonca and Oswald M D’Souza. In 2007, another re-union was held at Al Jazira Resort wherein Marissa Bidappa and Johnson Samuel were the chairpersons. In 2009, for the first time the venue was shifted to Sharjah at the sprawling Sharjah Wonderers Club under the chairmanship of Geanette and Sydney D’Souza.
 
This year under the chairmanship of B M Ashraf and Joyce Menezes, the event was once again held at Al Jazira Resort and was a huge success.
 
Generally, the re-unions are held once every two years and generate a lot of interest amongst the alumni. The ex-students enjoy the day out meeting old friends and reminiscing on the days spent in the colleges.
 
The tradition since inception has been to send all the proceeds after deducting expenses to the colleges.