by Father Joaquim Fernandes and Mamta Vats for BISMumbai

The valedictory ceremony of the 17th Federation Internationales Des Associations Des Medicines Catholiques [F.I.M.A.C] Bio-Medical Ethics Certificate Course, was held via ZOOM on 22 May 2021. The F.I.M.A.C certificate course in collaboration with the Nirmala Niketan College of Social Work-Mumbai was presided over by His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias-Archbishop of Bombay. [Dr.] Sister Lidwin Dias-Principal Nirmala Niketan also graced the occasion. The Certificate Course in Bio-Medical Ethics 2020-202, trained 90 students of varied nationalities, among whom was also MumbaiSalesians' Father Joaquim Fernandes-former BOSCOM National Delegate and Director-Tejprasarini Don Bosco Communications.

The course was conducted in 09 Sunday monthly modules from 9:00 hrs to 13:00 hrs. Didactic lectures, case studies, study group-learning, faculty-mentoring, webinars, 02 assignments and a 4000-word research project made up the course programme. The participants were divided into 10 groups with specified leaders and assigned mentors for practical outcomes.

MumbaiSalesians' [Dr.] Father Matthew Coutinho, Professor of Moral Theology at the Studium Theologicum Salesianum, Rattisbonne-Jerusalem, Israel, was one of the distinguished mentors. Remarking on his personal involvement and experience, Father Coutinho said “Being a mentor to the F.I.A.M.C Bio-Medical Ethics course students was a wonderful experience. The cases were looked at from various perspectives with each participant bringing their own personal and professional experience to bear on the discussion. Different groups took turns to summarizing the ideas that emerged and in making their final presentation were done with great accuracy and confidence. It was a great learning experience.”

The next online Bio-Medical Ethics Certificate Course is scheduled to commence in July 2021. To register or enroll check: https://www.fiamcindia.org