Fr. Maliekal George was appointed Rector of Sacred Heart Theological College, Shillong. He was installed as Rector on June 30, succeeding Fr. Jose Varicakasseril sdb. 47-year old Maliekal, who is a member of the Salesian Province of Guwahati, has served as Parish Priest, Rector and Professor of Church History. He is the author of “History of the Catholic Church Among the Khasis”. Established 1928 as Our Lady’s House and later renamed as Sacred Heart Theological College, it is the oldest theological college established by the Salesians of Don Bosco in India and has made significant contribution to the formation of priests and church leaders for the country, particularly for the Northeastern region. Its many publications, animation programmes and student outreach activities have enriched the city of Shillong and the region. Fr. Maliekal who holds a doctorate in Church History from Gregorian University, Rome, told BIS that his vision for theological formation consists in personalization of values. “In the market of ideals and values we have a proliferation of them. But one needs to personalize them. That is the challenge.” During the centenary year of the Salesian presence in India, Dr. Maliekal said we need priests who are convinced to answer the questions which challenge the very essence of religious and priestly life. An answer that will be shown by their own lives. .The Sacred Heart Theological College offers Bachelors degrees in Theology, and Master’s degrees in Missiology and Spirituality, a one-year integrated course in theology for religious and laity, and a two-year diploma course in theology. Since 2005 the College is recognized as the centre for distance education for BA/MA in Christian Studies under the Madras University. Currently about 140 students pursue theological studies in the Sacred Heart Theological College. It has one of the best libraries of the region, and a cultural centre and museum, and a series of publications in English and Khasi languages. George Plathottam sdb