MUMBAI, JUNE 5, 2008:
Fr. Barnabe D’Souza was awarded the PhD degree from the University of Coventry, UK, after he successfully defended his thesis: ‘Changing Mindsets: Evolution of a Rehabilitation Programme for Chemically Dependent Male Street Adolescents in a Major Indian Cit
y’. The doctoral defense was held at the University College of Worcester, UK, on May 23, 2008. While Fr. Barnabe’s guide was Dr. Stephen Bigger, the examining panel consisted of Dr. Jack Whitehead (University of Barth), Dr. Peter Wekifeild (University of Worcester) and Dr. Jean Webb (University of Worcester). The examiners were in awe of the phenomenal research work done and right at the outset one of them stated: "The thesis is not at stake, we have already decided to award you the PhD, let us now get some clarity of ideas about it". The new knowledge contributed through this research was of the steps to mindset change in chemically dependent street children and the creation of a therapy model that can be adapted to any cultural setting. There was also a focus on the spiritual aspects that play a significant role in the rehabilitation process. A commendable aspect of the research was the fact that it was strongly participatory in nature and action oriented. This research brings to culmination the 21 years of experience that Fr. Barnabe has in working with street children in the city of Mumbai and especially in the rehabilitation of drug abusers.
y’. The doctoral defense was held at the University College of Worcester, UK, on May 23, 2008. While Fr. Barnabe’s guide was Dr. Stephen Bigger, the examining panel consisted of Dr. Jack Whitehead (University of Barth), Dr. Peter Wekifeild (University of Worcester) and Dr. Jean Webb (University of Worcester). The examiners were in awe of the phenomenal research work done and right at the outset one of them stated: "The thesis is not at stake, we have already decided to award you the PhD, let us now get some clarity of ideas about it". The new knowledge contributed through this research was of the steps to mindset change in chemically dependent street children and the creation of a therapy model that can be adapted to any cultural setting. There was also a focus on the spiritual aspects that play a significant role in the rehabilitation process. A commendable aspect of the research was the fact that it was strongly participatory in nature and action oriented. This research brings to culmination the 21 years of experience that Fr. Barnabe has in working with street children in the city of Mumbai and especially in the rehabilitation of drug abusers.