The Postgraduate and Research Centre of St Agnes College (Autonomous), Mangaluru, organized a value-enriching session on “Goodness – A Paradigm Shift of Thinking” on 14 August 2025. The resource person for the session was Prof. Gerard D’Souza, an eminent academician and management mentor with over four decades of teaching and administrative experience.
The resource person was Prof. Gerard D’Souza, who is presently serving as the Mentor of the MBA Department at St Agnes College. With his vast teaching experience and academic leadership across reputed institutions, Prof. D’Souza has been a guiding force in management education and continues to inspire students with his innovative approach to learning. The session was conducted in an interactive and experiential format, with a series of engaging activities that combined learning with reflection. Through the stone and water activity, Prof. D’Souza highlighted different kinds of people one encounters in life. Stones were described as unmoved and indifferent individuals, mud stones as those who spread negativity, sponges as freeloaders who drain the energy of others, while sugar water symbolized positive and nourishing individuals who bring value and sweetness into relationships. This exercise encouraged participants to critically reflect on the importance of surrounding themselves with the right company.
Other activities such as the number game and additions task sharpened focus, accuracy, and alertness, while the soap-naming activity encouraged quick recall and spontaneity. The T and S activities brought out the significance of teamwork and adaptability, whereas the nail and nail bed task served as a symbolic reminder of the need for patience, balance, and perspective in overcoming life’s challenges.
A particularly impactful segment of the session was the couplets exercise, where participants expressed positive affirmations such as “I am enough.” This activity reinforced the importance of self-belief, confidence, and maintaining a positive outlook in both personal and professional spheres.
The session was well received by the participants, who appreciated the blend of simplicity, creativity, and profound insights. By integrating management principles with life values, Prof. D’Souza successfully conveyed that goodness is not merely a passive virtue but a conscious and transformative choice that can influence thought, action, and relationships.
In conclusion, the session on “Goodness – A Paradigm Shift of Thinking” was both enlightening and inspiring. It provided students with valuable lessons on self-reflection, interpersonal growth, and the power of goodness as a guiding principle in life. The Postgraduate and Research Centre of St Agnes College places on record its sincere gratitude to Prof. Gerard D’Souza for his meaningful contribution and to all those who contributed to the success of the programme.
