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What did we learn?

· Greater emphasis needs to be placed on those technical skills needed to perform   specific jobs.
· Polytechnic training is not relevant and is seen to be inefficient.
· Universities are too slow to change their curriculum.
· The state of Karnataka is very political and higher education is highly politicized as   well.
· Following our workshop, we met the next day with the Auxiliary Bishop who is   extremely supportive of the community college concept. After serious discussion, it   was agreed that a community college would be inaugurated on January 1, 2001 with   the first students to be served in the April to May 2001 time frame.
· Later we met with Dr. Nair and he wanted to know how we proceed from here. We   reviewed the discussions we had with the Auxiliary Bishop and discussed the role   of CCID in providing assistance in preparation to the launch of the Trivandrum   Community College.

TRIVANDRUM COMMUNITY COLLEGE

· To be inaugurated on January 1, 2001.
· The first need is to establish a governing board made up of representatives from   education, law, Catholic Church, business and industry, entrepreneurs. A 10 or 12   member board serving two years is envisioned at this time. This was accomplished   within three days.
· The Franciscan Brothers would be the owners of the community college with the   Auxiliary Bishop the convener.
· A Curriculum Board would need to be established.
· It was anticipated that short-term courses could be provided first. CCID could   assist with conducting needs assessments for curriculum and job needs. CCID could   also help identify who or where the firms are with the most growth potential. It was   thought that it would be easier to begin with upgrading those who already have job   skills and after becoming established, move on to job preparation and retraining   activities.
· This would be viewed as "a work in progress" and that there would be much   opportunity for growth to occur.
· The Auxiliary Bishop was strongly urging that new priests be provided technical   training to assist them in their work in the community.