Mangalore Diocese News

Media Release

Mangaluru, Jul 15, 2015 : The new state-of-the-art Loyola Centre for Research and Innovation (LCRI) at St Aloysius College campus here was inaugurated on Wednesday July 15.

Fr Dr Stanislaus D’Souza, provincial, Karnataka Jesuit Province inaugurated the centre while bishop of Shivamogga Dr Francis Serrao blessed the occasion.

The newly-built research wing has been built at a cost of Rs 8 crore, and is designed to improve the quality of science education through research.

Addressing the gathering, guest of honour Dr Harsh Vardhan Batra, scientist and director, Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL) Mysuru speaking said, "An educational institution cannot progress without research programmes. Research has to be taken as a passion, not only as a knowledge for learning but as hobby too. Innovation should be a habit, it doesn’t matter whether you have the facilities or not, its the mind that plays the role. This new Loyola Centre will surely contribute in the growth of the economy."

In his inaugural address, Dr Francis Serrao said, "Jesuits have played a vital role in the feild of education and research right from the beginning. The newly inagurated building is timely, as there is a huge need for research in the changing world. The Jesuits and students need to be innovative when facing the challenges of the world, and thus contribute to the development of science. We live in a world where faith and reason are questioned. We need intellectual depth to face this kind of situation.

"We need humility, egoless approach and patience in research; it should be free from personal advancement or rivalry. Research should be inspired by a desire to serve. Today we face radical challenges, the concept of being human is subjected to multiple understandings. We have to plan how to live on the planet with limited resources. Research students should be given time and not burdened with administrative issues, which may destract them from doing research despite possessing the potential," he added.

Fr Stanislaus D'Souza presided over the function.

On this occasion the college felicitated prominent persons who contributed to the conceptual and the structural development of this new building. Fr Denzil Lobo, rector of St Aloysius Institutions and Fr Swebert D’Silva, principal of St Aloysius College were present on the dais.

The new research centre has seven floors, all equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure for education through research. The building will house research programmes in food, science and technology started recently with a grant of Rs 75 lac from MHRD, government of India through the government of Karnataka as well as research laboratories of biochemistry, biotechnology, chemistry and physics departments. There are also multiple conference rooms and auditoriums to conduct seminars and other academic programmes.