Nagpur: In a global event on education organised by the Catholic Church at Vatican City on Thursday, Archbishop Elias Gonsalves from the Nagpur diocese represented the entire Asian continent, speaking on the theme of the educational and cultural commitment of Catholic educational institutions. The International Congress was hosted by the Dicastery for Education and Culture at Vatican City. Archbishop Gonsalves chairs the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India’s (CBCI) Office for Education and Culture, oversees all Catholic educational institutions in India which comprise six universities, 650 colleges, and over 16,000 schools serving 8.7 million students. He is also the chairman of the Western Region council of Bishops consisting of Goa, Gujarat and Maharashtra.In his keynote, Archbishop Gonsalves described education as a transformative act that can restore trust and hope in society. He said educational institutions play a key role in building an inclusive and responsible world by balancing tradition with innovation. “Education loses its very soul if it neglects the poor,” he said, urging schools to focus on justice, empathy, and equal opportunities for all learners.Highlighting the contribution of the Indian institutions, he cited Loyola College of Chennai for pioneering well-being programmes that integrate technology with personal development. The college has blended digital tools with classroom learning to promote emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and mental health awareness among students and faculty. Regular “reflection hours” and technology-assisted mentoring sessions are part of Loyola’s approach to ensure students grow not only in academic ability but also in resilience and empathy.The Sacred Heart College, based in Tirupattur, Tamil Nadu, was mentioned for creating a comprehensive student wellness model that links academic performance with emotional health. The college runs peer-support groups, counsellor-led sessions, and faculty training on mental health literacy. Technology-enabled platforms are used to monitor student engagement and stress levels, making mental well-being a shared institutional priority alongside academic goals.He also lauded Christ University (Bengaluru) for its ongoing partnership with UNESCO on peace and sustainability education. The collaboration has resulted in research exchanges, workshops on climate responsibility, and student-led projects promoting sustainable living on campus. Christ University’s interdisciplinary model encourages dialogue between technology, ethics, and social responsibility — preparing students to apply global knowledge to local community challenges.Additionally, Don Bosco Tech, a nationwide network, was commended for partnering with the Ministry of Skill Development to provide vocational training for underprivileged and tribal youth. Through short-term job-oriented programmes, Don Bosco Tech links skill education with employability, helping thousands of young people gain stable livelihoods.Archbishop Gonsalves also highlighted CBCI’s ongoing initiatives such as Digital Literacy for Life, Mindful Educator, and Compassionate Leader, which promote emotional balance, digital responsibility, and ethical leadership. He said education must become “hope in action” — shaping learners who combine knowledge with empathy and integrity.