Mangaluru: St Aloysius Pre-University College (SAPUC), in collaboration with the Association of Indian French Professionals and Researchers (AIFPRO), conducted an Inter-Collegiate French Singing Competition – ‘La Chansonette’ on Friday, November 17, at SAPUC.
A first of its kind in Mangaluru, this event was organised with a view to encourage the spread and improvement of the French language among students.
President and founder of the AIFPRO, Dr Arunkumar S, was the chief guest at the event. During his address to the gathering he said, “He who sings frightens away his ills. When we sing we are immersed in the present and cease to think of other hurdles and problems of life.”
The college Principal, Rev. Fr. Melwin Mendonca SJ presided over the event and seated alongside him on the dais were the Finance Officer Rev Fr John Lang Bosco, Vice Principal Mrs.Charlotte D’Souza, Dean Dr Ganesh Amin, and French Lecturer Ms Anasa.
“We are planning to introduce a foreign language institute which can offer a 15 dat course for students in German, Spanish and some other foreign languages, so that students can learn the basics of every language. As psrt of this, we have begun an advance programme in French, preparing students for the DELF A1 Exam, which is an International Diploma Exam. We want students to know the language and explore its culture,” said Rev Fr Melwin Mendonca, Principal of SAPUC.
The competition wsa divided intoo two categories- solo and group. Students from various colleges in the district, participated in the competition.
In the solo category, Sheetal Pillai from St Aloysius Pre-University College emerged victorious whereas, St Agnes Pre-University College bagged the winner’s title in the group category.
Similar contests are being planned by the Association in other parts of India, to find more promising and talented youngsters.
