Rev Dr Tuisem A Shishak, Principal Emeritus, Patkai Christian College speaking during the workshop on March 20.
Rev Shishak reminds Patkai’s faculty and staff of the college’s foundational basis
Dimapur, March 21 (MExN): Christian colleges have a difficult task of making its educational philosophy relevant to the world around it, stated Rev Dr Tuisem A Shishak, founder and Principal Emeritus of Patkai Christian College. He was speaking during a workshop for the faculty and staff at the college on Saturday.
According to a press release received here today, Rev Shishak spoke on the theme “Patkai then and now: Re-imagining and contextualising the Patkai Dream,” and mentioned the challenges for Christian colleges while quoting the words of Charles Malik, former president of the United Nations: “If you win the whole world and (but) lose the mind of the world, you will soon discover you have not won the world. Indeed it may turn out that you have actually lost the world...
Responsible Christian face two tasks – that of saving the soul and that of saving the mind” (The Two Tasks).
“This is the challenge for every Patkaian. The future of Patkai depends on how we face the challenge of saving the soul and saving the mind,” he said.
“Academic excellence and biblical Christian faith and practice are essential to a meaningful and purposeful life,” he added.
The Principal Emeritus reminded the faculty and staff of the college’s foundational basis saying, “Patkai was established to provide Christian leadership for the church and society at large. That’s God’s original intention for giving us Patkai Christian College – Patkai’s covenant with God,” the release stated.
The college was established in 1974 as a liberal Arts college, the founder principal said, while maintaining that “the college firmly believes that education is for the whole man in a framework of spiritual and moral absolutes.”
Mentioning the central purpose of the college as mentioned in its motto – “Lux et Veritas” or “Light and Truth” (Psalm 43:3), Rev Shishak said this purpose produces a concern for truth, righteousness and beauty and thereby gives meaning to the ideal of a Christian liberal arts college.
He exhorted both the teaching faculty and non teaching staff to consciously seek to aid the student in developing habits which contribute to their physical, psychological and spiritual well-being which will enable them to participate constructively in community and church life.
Rev Shishak also called on the alumni of the college and urged them to take an active role in the development of the college. “Patkai Christian College belongs to God; we are all stewards.”
The workshop also saw engaging presentations from the chaplain, Rev Dr Vichukho Ngukha on the theme “Spirituality as the foundation and propeller of institutional growth” and from AG Samuel, Assistant Professor, on the theme “Networking and team building: Incorporating modern etiquettes.”
