Dear Alumni and Friends of Bhaktivedanta College,
Please accept my warm greetings and respectful obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
On behalf of the Bhaktivedanta College team, which includes teachers, students, staff, and trustees, I am pleased to wish you a wonderful Christmas season and a happy New Year. I pray to Sri Sri Radha-Gopinatha for the fulfillment of all your needs and aspirations.
As in previous years, I’m happy to update you on the developments at Bhaktivedanta College.
This year we started offering a second Bachelor’s degree. The University of Chester validated our new Educational Studies, Theology, and Religion degree (ETR). The first group of students, many of whom intend to become teachers, started their ETR studies in mid-September. So far, both the ETR teachers, led by Rasamandala Prabhu, and the students are expressing satisfaction with the experiences during the first term.
The Theology and Religious Studies (TRS) program is continuing well. To further develop the TRS educational offering, we intend to offer it also in an on-line mode starting in September 2013. Some modules are now being offered in an unaccredited fashion as a pilot project. We are getting positive feedback from on-line students. Additionally, we are in the process of accrediting our Bhakti-shastri modules as part of the TRS degree, and starting the validation process for a MA in Theology and Religious Studies, which should be ready for 2013 or 2014.
The number of second-generation ISKCON students is increasing every year. During the first term we had more than 30 students on campus and nearly 100 on-line students.
The College has started a career guidance program for students and alumni. It is pleasing that College graduates are finding placements as teachers or assistant teachers in schools such as Krishna Avanti and others.
Another highlight of 2012 was an International Educational Conference that was conjointly organized by the College, the Avanti Trust in the UK, and the ISKCON Ministry of Educational Development. The conference was held in April in Radhadesh with the participation of about fifteen educational initiatives. Some of the topics explored during the conference were ISKCON’s philosophy of education, collaborative partnership among educational initiatives, and career guidance and placement.
Regarding the construction of the second College building, we are working on the master plan in order to get approval from the regional government. As the number of students grows, the need for new living facilities becomes obvious.
As Christmas and New Year is an ideal time to share news with others and to express our generosity, I’m happy to invite you to contribute to the College according to your capacity and desire. You can offer donations for the building fund, the scholarship fund, the library fund, or the validation of the new MA degree.
Donations may be sent to:
Bhaktivedanta CollegeBank name: Belfius Barvaux, Belgium
Bank account number: 068-2456949-63
IBAN: BE40 0682 4569 4963
BIC: GKCCBEBB
Or through Paypal to: paypal@bhaktivedantacollege.com
I wish you a wonderful New Year in devotional service and in the company of your family and friends.
With affectionate regards, gratitude, and best wishes,
Yadunandana Swami
Bhaktivedanta College Principal
Deepen your transcendental knowledge from everywhere and anytime!!