Media Release

Mangaluru, Jul 18: An orientation programme was held at St Aloysius PU College, Mangaluru to empower the students with essential skills and techniques for holistic development.

Divya D’Souza, an accomplished entrepreneur, and life transformation coach, conducted a session on 'Effective Communication and Interpersonal Skills, Peace and Conflict Resolution', a crucial area for personal and professional success. D’Souza made the sessions engaging by incorporating a self-explorative test, allowing students to identify their unique communication styles. She emphasized the importance of mastering one's emotions, highlighting emotional intelligence as a key to personal success.

She elaborated on the 7 Cs of communication-clarity, conciseness, concreteness, correctness, coherence, completeness, and courtesy-demonstrating their importance in effective communication. D’Souza also discussed the significance of interpersonal skills, stressing the importance of transforming from an 'I-person' to a 'we-person' and maintaining boundaries in interactions. Her session concluded with encouragement for students to pursue meaningful work and a joyful life, leaving a lasting impression with her wealth of experience and insights.

Lugina Miranda, a counsellor, and psychotherapist, presented an insightful session on ‘Holistic Wellness’. She addressed critical issues faced by teenagers today, such as parental and societal pressure, which can lead to stress, depression, and substance abuse. Miranda emphasized on recognizing these pressures and understanding their impact on mental health. She discussed the significant issue of social media and cell phone addiction, the importance of overcoming it, and the foundational role of self-esteem in one's identity. Through a video clip from the Hindi movie ‘Dear Zindagi'. she illustrated the effects of continuous social pressure. Miranda’s session provided valuable insights on coping with stress, anxiety, and depression, making it highly engaging and informative.

Akshay Paniker, an educational strategist, spoke on 'Finding Your Passion and Purpose in Life'. He emphasized the crucial roles of education and money and highlighted the importance of choosing the right purpose. Paniker discussed the generational gap between parents and children, advocating for active learning over rote memorization. He advised students to set SMART goals-specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound-and recommended the book ‘IKIGAI’ for self-exploration. His session offered practical advice on goal-setting and finding one's passion, providing students with a clearer understanding of their aspirations.

Caroline Pais, a lawyer and freelance soft skills trainer, led a session on 'Finding Your Passion and Purpose'. She engaged students with a warm-up activity and posed essential questions to help them identify their passions. Pais introduced the concept of IKIGAI and encouraged students to explore new experiences and maintain a gratitude journal. Her interactive session left students inspired with valuable insights for pursuing their passions.

Dr Vidya Vinutha D’Souza addressed on the importance of peer relationships, emotional support, and building social skills. She discussed healthy relationships and consent, providing information on the POCSO Act and children's protection. Her presentation enlightened students on maintaining physical and mental health, leaving them grateful for the opportunity to learn about these important topics.

Benzita Ferrao, a psychologist and creative writing trainer, spoke on holistic wellness. She debunked myths surrounding mental health and emphasized its importance. Ferrao categorized stress-inducing events and provided practical stress management tips. Her session dispelled several myths about mental health and offered students a better understanding of the topic. 

Dr Preethi Keerthi D’Souza, an associate professor at Mangalore University, discussed social skills with a focus on effective communication, interpersonal skills, and conflict resolution. She used storytelling to build students' confidence and highlighted the importance of relationships and communication. Her session included videos that underscored the impact of words, providing meaningful and light-hearted lessons.

Dr Rameela Shekhar, director at Mahashanti counselling, training, and research centre, spoke on holistic wellness and emotional well-being. She discussed the correlation between IQ and EQ, self-esteem, and positive self-concept. Dr Shekhar encouraged students to communicate their issues and seek guidance from college counsellors, providing a supportive message to conclude her session.

The orientation programme equipped students with valuable insights and practical skills essential for their personal and professional growth. With a diverse lineup of expert speakers covering topics from emotional intelligence to holistic wellness and goal-setting, students left with a deeper understanding of themselves and their aspirations. The programme fostered a supportive and positive environment, encouraging students to pursue their passions, develop meaningful relationships, and maintain their well-being. Overall, the orientation was a transformative experience that set a strong foundation for the students' future endeavors.