8th Annual St. Thomas More Lecture featuring Rev. Vincent Braganza, S.J. | Press Releases

"Ethics in Science: Exploring Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Indian Society"
6 p.m., Thursday, February 13, 2014
Library Multimedia Room, Fairfield University

Image: V Braganza Discussing the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship in today's Indian society, Rev. Vincent Braganza, S.J. delivers the 8th Annual St. Thomas More Lecture at 6 p.m. on Thursday, February 13, 2014 , in the DiMenna-Nyselius Library Multimedia Room, Fairfield University. The lecture, entitled "Ethics in Science: Exploring Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Indian Society," is presented by Fairfield University's Center for Faith and Public Life and is free and open to the public .

"India is home to one-sixth of the inhabitants of earth. In staggering terms, twice the population of the United States, living in one-third of the landmass of the U.S., India faces severe economic adversity. Such a situation must weigh on our conscience, especially in a globalizing world," said Rev. Vincent Braganza, S.J., whois Director, Loyola Center For Research and Development, St. Xavier's College, Ahmedabad, India.

In his lecture, Fr. Braganza explains how sharing science and technology with the poor has the potential for long-term sustainable livelihood options and why innovation and entrepreneurship must be woven into the lives of target communities. In particular, Fr. Braganza focuses his Center's attention to ensuring women garner a lion's share of the benefits of his projects on innovation and entrepreneurship: "Keeping in mind the restrictions in Indian society encountered by women and their role in bearing the brunt of economic ills on the home-front, they must be a primary concern," he adds. "Educating and empowering women is the most sustainable method of eradicating poverty in societies."

Fr. Braganza is Chairman-Secretary of the Xavier Research Foundation, in Gujarat, India. He received his M.S. and Ph.D. (Biochemistry & Biophysics), from Loyola University of Chicago, and Post Doctoral Fellowship (Animal Tissue Cell Culture, Recombinant DNA), from Loyola University of Chicago. He was awarded the Vidya Rattan Gold Medal Award by the Indian Solidarity Council for "Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Education." He was inducted as a Fellow of Gujarat Science Congress and is a member of the American Association of Science New York Academy of Sciences.

The St. Thomas More Lecture series is co-sponsored by the Center for Faith and Public Life and the Golden Stags. The Center for Faith and Public Life (CFPL), anchored in the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching, is an internationally recognized forum committed to advancing the Common Good, which is the creation of the social conditions that allow for the full flourishing of the human person. Through multi-disciplinary academic research, events, publications, teaching, and initiatives, the Center provides a forum for engaging issues where religion and public life intersect.