ST FRANCIS DE SALES TECHNICAL SCHOOL IMPHAL

The Technical School in Imphal marked the beginning of a new apostolate for the MSFS in North East India. The proposal to begin a Technical school came from the Archbishop Joseph Mittathany in 1987. His proposal was welcomed by Fr Abraham Mullenkuzhy, the Regional Superior of MSFS North East India. Consequently, Fr John Edacherrypauvath was appointed as the first Director of the Institute. A plot of land was purchased for this purpose and a building was constructed in the same year. On August 8, 1987, St Francis de Sales Technical School Society was registered and on November 16, 1988, the Press began to function. The official blessing was done by Fr Emile Mayoraz, the Superior General. In January 1993, Fr Philip Thomas was appointed as the Director in place of Fr John. Fr Philip Thomas was transferred from there in December 1995. In 1996, Fr Joseph Chettany was appointed as its Director until he was transferred from there in 2000. In 1996, the departments of DTP (Desk Top Printing) and Offset printing were setup.

In 2000, Fr Jose Thenganakunnel was appointed as the Manager and Superior of the Technical School and Fr Kusumkant Toppo as the Director. In 2007 Fr John Edacherrypauvath was re-appointed as the Director of the Technical School. In May 2011, when Fr John Edacherrypauvath was transferred to Thingbhakhunou, Fr Thomas Anakallil was appointed to succeed him.

The SFS Technical Institute began to cater to the needs of numerous institutions and parishes across the Archdiocese of Imphal. The key concern of the Institute today is to impart to the trainees technical training in printing technology. The Institute also provides non-formal technical education to the school dropout youth of Archdiocese of Imphal. For over a quarter of century, the institute has successfully trained a number of students in Printing Technology and helped them to find a better job or self -employment. As years passed by the Institute purchased modern machines and improved the quality of its service. As of 2016, there are nine staff and five trainees.

SFS Technical school also celebrated the Silver jubilee of its establishment on October 18, 2014, with the theme ‘Do not wish to be anything but whatyou are, and try to be that perfectly’. The celebration began with the Holy Eucharist presided over by Most Rev. Dominic Lumon, the Archbishop of Imphal and concelebrated by Most Rev. Joseph Mittathany, the Archbishop Emeritus of Imphal, Fr George Panthanmackel, the Provincial of North East India Province and Fr George Parampukattil, General Councillor of Education and 63 priests from far and near. All of them unanimously affirmed the significant role played by the technical school during the past years in the field of evangelization through print media in the Archdiocese of Imphal.