A spiritual guide with an academic edge
His modest personality belies his achievements in spiritual guidance, academics and leadership. The area of his expertise encompasses teaching, public speaking, writing, team management, quiz conducting, research, training and administration.
Rev. Dr Antony Prakash Monteiro, who at present is the Chairman for P.G. Studies and Research, CampusDirector and Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, St. Philomena College, Puttur uses his skills, knowledge for the betterment of humanity.
Dr Monteiro hails from Shirva-Manchakal of Udupi district where he was born on August 9, 1976. He completed his SSLC at St Mary’s High School, Shirva and PUC in science at St Mary’s PU College, Shirva. He followed it up with a B Sc at Philomena’s College, Puttur securing the fifth rank and an M Sc (Physics) from Mangalore University in 2002 with a first rank and gold medal.
In 2007 he took up research studies for his PhD in Theoretical Particle Physics (Phenomenology) at Mangalore University under Prof K B Vijaya Kumar obtaining his PhD in 2011 his thesis being, “The study of Meson Spectroscopy in the Framework of Constituent Quark Models.”
His thesis was published by Lambert Publications, Germany. He has to his credit 18 papers in international journals and has presented 71 papers in national and international conferences. He was presented the Vision Group on Science and Technology (VGST) award for Research Publications (ARP) 2017-18 for outstanding research publications with high impact factor.
The VGST was promoted by the Department of Information Technology, Biotechnology and Science & Technology, Karnataka Government, constituted under the Chairmanship of distinguished scientist Bharat Ratna Prof. C N R Rao. The VGST also rewarded him a grant of worth 20 lakhs to establish the “Centre for Theoretical Nuclear and Particle Physics for Advanced Studies” in PG Centre of St. Philomena College, Puttur.
As a teacher, he joined as Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at St Philomena College, Puttur in June 2011. Along with his bound duty as Campus Director of St Philomena College, Puttur, he also serves as the Chairman of Centre for PG Studies and Research of the College. He was instrumental in establishing the Post Graduate Departments of Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science and Economics at the centre. As of now, he has 13 years of rich teaching experience in various topics of Physics for Under Graduate and Post Graduate Courses.
Apart from his academic pursuits, his quest for spiritual enlightenment he joined the St Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalore for his studies in philosophy and followed it up with theology at St Peter’s Seminary, Bangalore. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Mangalore on April 25, 2006.
Dr Monteiro started his service as Assistant Parish Priest at St. Francis Xavier Church, Bejai, Mangalore and has thereafter served as Parochial Administrator, Sacred Heart Church, Maril. He has been a chaplain, Jesus Youth, Mangalore. He has also served as an assistant parish priest, St Francis Xavier Church, Bejai and as a parish priest, Assumption of Our Lady Church, Mariashram, Talapady.
Dr Monteiro has varied experience in different areas apart from teachingwhich includes Public Speaking, Writing, Team Management, Research, Trainingand Administration. He has also been the Quiz Master for two events – ‘Mega Raknno Bible Quiz’ and ‘Diocesan Jubilee Quiz’.
His publications in Konkani, English and Kannada include ‘Bible Quiz’,‘Shilube Haadi’, ‘Kursachen Poynn’, ‘Way of the Cross’, ‘Swamiya Yathaneyallina Paatragalu’, ‘Murida Rotti’ and ‘Shibirada atagalu’.
Article By –
Sanchia Rebello
Konkan Catholic Network