SONADA (India): 24th September --  At 6,500 feet up (approx 2000m) in the Himalayan foothills, Salesian Seminary Sonada seems already halfway to heaven, but its most recent cause for bliss is the accreditation awarded by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council of India.  The accreditation process is lengthy - at least a year and a half of work by the seminary, which is also a university college - and covers areas such as: teaching-learning and evaluation; infrastructure and learning resources; research, consultancy and extension; healthy practices; student support and progression; organization and management.

 

The Salesian seminary opened its doors in Sonada in 1938.  These days it caters to seminary students from at least 8 dioceses of East India (about 30 students) and Salesian students (34 of these).  Once upon a time its students came from even further afield; several Australian Salesians fondly recalled their days at Sonada.  Today the seminary is also a college affiliated to the University of North Bengal and since 2000 has also been opened to local students of both sexes of whom there are 88 in a three year Bachelor of Arts Degree majoring in English and History (Honours).

 

The college has plans of expansion by way of providing teacher education for the local tribal population of the hills. The president of the college is Fr. John Berger SDB, the provincial of Kolkota province, the rector is Fr. (Dr). Gomes Nirmol SDB and the principal is Fr. (Dr). George Thadathil SDB. Salesian College Sonada is the only College (University Institution) of the province.