PG Common News

The MSW Department of School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya, Mangalore organized a 2-day Capacity Building Workshop on ‘Personal and Professional Development’ on July 19, 2024, as part of the student orientation program for first year students. The workshop was attended by 43 students. Faculty in charge, Ms. Angelin Ebinezar, kickstarted the workshop at 9:45 am at AV Room by introducing the resource person, Prof. Joselyn Lobo, Former Dean, BSW Department, School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya.

Prof. Joselyn began the interactive and activity-based learning workshop with a warm up game followed by an ice-breaker activity. The students then participated in an individual activity where they got to introspect and define things that keep them rooted and experiences that have allowed them to grow and flourish. They then shared their personal stories with the group they were assigned to. The afternoon session began with yet another warm up game which energized them to proceed to the next activity. The students initially reflected themselves and then shared their perspectives with small groups answering the two important questions - What made them select the particular course? And why they chose to study in Roshni Nilaya? This was followed by students making a group presentation and put forth their ideas and thoughts, tackling the following questions: What do they expect from the college? What does the college expect from them? and What are society’s expectations of their role as a social worker/counselor? The day’s session ended with a fun activity where students portrayed their singing talent.

The participants acknowledged that the activities conducted helped them interact with their classmates outside the classroom settings and they got to know them better personally, their interests, family and educational backgrounds, their culture and their past experiences, bringing them closer together to work as one cohesive unit.

The second day’s session began at 9:30 am on July 20, 2024 in the AV Room, which was attended by 42 students. The games and activities conducted on this day helped the students understand the importance of 4 C’s (Collaboration, Communication, Critical Thinking and Creativity) in relation to group dynamics. They learnt how Task, Group and Individuals are interconnected and how they can be balanced effectively by implementing competencies such as Task Management, People Management and Self-Management respectively. The students reflected on their own self development needs and areas of improvement. They participated in activities that helped them to think outside the box, expand their imagination and break stereotypes. They learnt the importance of setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time Bound) goals and each student set one for themselves that they wished to accomplish in the near future. The session concluded with the students submitting their evaluation of the workshop to Prof. Joselyn. At the end, all the participants assembled in front the Social Work Block for the group photograph.

This workshop taught students lessons and concepts that they can apply in their studies, group projects, field work and personal life. They ended this week’s orientation program on a positive note.