A Discussion with Dr. Vivien Amonkar, Head of the Departments of Microbiology and Biotechnology, St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, India

May 26, 2011

Background: As part of the Education and Global Social Justice Project, in May 2011, undergraduate student Deven Comen interviewed Dr. Vivien Amonkar, head of the Departments of Microbiology and Biotechnology at St. Xavier’s College Mumbai, India. In this interview, Dr. Amonkar discusses the core values of a Jesuit education that are inherent to the college’s curriculum and the role these values play in molding St. Xavier’s graduates into responsible community leaders.

What is your background?

I arrived at Xavier’s in 1972 as a student, and I haven’t left for a day. After graduating, I was offered a position of demonstrator, a conductor of practicals. I readily accepted and earned my master's [degree] in microbiology at Xavier’s. By 1989, I was head of the department, and six years ago I became the vice principal of the sciences. Currently, I have been serving as vice principal for academic improvement for four years. In this capacity, I am the co-curriculum Honors Program coordinator and also responsible for teacher assessments.

As VP of academics, I helped coordinate the introduction of autonomy at St. Xavier’s. Earlier, we had an annual system, but now with academic freedom, we have a credit, semester, and GPA-based system. It was a great accomplishment to separate ourselves from the University of Mumbai curriculum, which dictates the same curriculum for over 600 colleges. We were using one syllabus and one set of exam question papers per subject for all these colleges. It was frustrating to have committed and excellent faculty and students not feel challenged. Now assessments can be more challenging, the syllabi more engaging, and the teaching styles more flexible. Many of the aspects that were external to our curriculum, like many honors program activities, will now be brought in to update the skills of all students.

What does a Jesuit education mean to you?

A Jesuit education means “aiming for the skies.” We may not reach it, but we strive for excellence, always. A Jesuit education is also about honesty and a transparency in all systems. Through a Jesuit education one can gain the feeling of “the other.” For example, the Social Involvement Program (SIP), though not available when I was a student, gives our students a sense of the greater India outside Xavier’s. At my time we had the Social Service League (SSL). I remember the “feel-good factor” and felt that I gained much more than I had given. I have such warm memories of my college days, and though my SSL commitment was only a few hours out of that time, I remember the SSL service most distinctly. I find it especially valuable to realize we were born into the families we were born in out of luck. There are so many people who do not have the kind of opportunities available to us. We have a responsibility to share what we have received with the less fortunate members of society. I feel it is very important that our students are sensitized to this responsibility and that is why I am in full agreement with our policy of a mandatory SIP. The college philosophy has become my philosophy. Why should we just get a small band of students voluntarily sensitized? Everyone should have the chance to do service. An example I like to give to students who feel that the SIP should not be part of the curriculum is: when I give a lecture, not 100 percent of the students are listening. Some are dreaming, while others are attentive. Does this mean I should not lecture because not everyone will benefit? Even if students disagree now, who is to tell what will happen 10 years from now? It is our hope that their hearts will be touched in some way that social justice will stick with them. We cannot judge that just now. I joined the SSL as a student, and many of my friends did not. I regret they did not have the opportunity that I had. Some students were studying the potability of water in slums for my course and set up educational lectures about malaria for slum dwellers. My students could not believe people living in such filthy and unhygienic conditions could be happy. One student said, “Ma’am, they’re happier than us.” I couldn’t believe statements like these were coming from 18-year-olds. This is why the SIP must continue to be mandatory.

Perhaps it is our fault that some students are opposed to the SIP. We are not orienting them sufficiently as to why they should participate. We believe the reflection aspect of SIP will help students change for the better.

What core values do you try to instill in your students?

Integrity and honesty. Academic excellence is a value; I think along with that we try to encourage a quest for knowledge. Social justice is another one, along with that comes sensitization to the environment. We want our students to live for others. Lastly, we promote religious understanding and tolerance.

What are the greatest challenges facing Mumbai and India?

What we lack is accountability. If we can solve the problems of low accountability and corruption, we would have great success. Our divisive politics have the effect of making non-issues issues. Xavier’s can play a part in reversing these trends in several ways. By encouraging our students to have honesty of purpose, they can promote accountability. After a Jesuit education, many of our students become important leaders in several aspects of India. By having these values, they can influence others. We as staff realize that we have a role in training good citizens. Xavier’s can increase its contribution by hosting more public debates and by taking a stand more frequently on issues.

Opens in a new window