Goa Institute of Management (GIM) recently celebrated the 90th birthday of its founder Fr. Romuald D’Souza here at their campus in Sanquelim, Goa. Past students, former and present employees, faculty and students of GIM came together to celebrate the life of Fr. Romuald who build the campus with a single minded dedication.
A Jesuit priest by creed, Fr. Romuald D'Souza was born in Aldona, Goa in the year 1925. In his long of life, he has founded two institutes – GIM in the year 1993 and Xavier Institute of Management, in Bhubaneswar in the year 1987 and was its Director till 1993. Fr. D’Souza has served as a member of various academic organisations, like the Association of Management Development Institutes of South Asia, the All India Board of Management Studies, Government of India, the Executive Council of the Goa University, the Academic Council of Utkal University. He is a professional member of the Academy of Management (USA), International Council of Psychologists and the American Psychological Society, he even imparts lecture on Business Ethics, Management of stress, Psychometrics and Organisational behaviour. On Jan 26, 2010 he was announced as a recipient of the Padma Shri award for his contribution to Education and Literature.
Talking about Fr. Romuald, Fr. C. Joe Arun, Director, GIM said, “The 90th birthday of Fr. Romuald is not a mere celebration of a birthday. Instead, it takes us back in time, for the future of GIM depends on the way we understand its past. The future lies in the past and that is what guides us in the present. For us at GIM, we understand how the institute started and how Fr. Romuald built it and elevated it to the prestigious institute it is today. There is a deep ingenuity in Fr. Romuald that drives him to see the unseen and leap into the unknown. Even at his 90th year, he has a vision for the future of management education. He desires to make management education look at developing managers as a whole.”
GIM honoured Fr Romulad by felicitating him in the presence of present students and alumni. The GIM choir opened the celebration with a soulful rendering of the GIM anthem. Fr. Romuald touched the lives of many during his many years spent at the institute. Said XXXX
Added Blaise Costabir, ex-faculty, GIM and MD, GMI Zarhak Moulders Pvt Ltd, “I imagine him he was transferred to Goa at 70 to lead a retired life. But he had other plans. He planted the seed, which today towers in the field of management education. He did what he always did best, build a world class institution. I enjoyed our chats before or after a class. He had many ideas and what is even better was that he was able to ideate and then execute.”
Sanjay Netravalkar, alumni, GIM said, “The man is known in some circles as the ‘Father of Indian Management Education’ and the ‘Founder of Founders’. These titles bestowed on him and the Padma Shri award says it all. Being part of the second batch at GIM brings to mind nostalgic memories. Fr. Romuald had the vision, determination and the courage to walk the unbeaten path and set up a highly recognized institute of management learning along the scenic backwaters of Ribander in Goa. Here, I learned the concept of management and entrepreneurship along with ethics, values and responsibility to society.”
Also present for the celebration were Mr. R Gopalakrishnan, Chairman of the Board of Governors, Dr.Wilfred D’Souza, alumni and ex-faculty members.
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Today: Mar 29, 2024