UG Common - News

Day 1
On the 22nd of August 2023, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, a unique orientation program for the incoming freshers, titled "Stepping In," was organized by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) in collaboration with the Group for Institution Development (GRID). The event took place in the Seminar Hall of the college.

The primary objective of this event was to nurture creativity, foster collaboration, and cultivate forward-thinking among the participants—our bright and eager freshers of the college. "Stepping In" was thoughtfully designed to promote a culture of innovation within our students and inspire them to think beyond conventional boundaries. The program spanned two enriching days and encompassed a wide array of engaging activities and thought-provoking discussions.

The event commenced with an inspiring keynote address by Associate Professor Cecilia F. Goveas, the IQAC coordinator of our college. Following her motivating words, a heartfelt prayer service was conducted in the morning, graciously led by the final-year students. This moment allowed participants from diverse religious backgrounds to come together in reflection and unity.

Prior to the commencement of the sessions, students took a moment to honor our esteemed resource persons for their outstanding contributions to their respective fields. Associate Professor Cecilia F. Goveas extended a warm welcome to our distinguished chief facilitator, Professor Joslyn T. Lobo, a former dean of the Bachelor of Social Work program, an accomplished social worker, and an author with three decades of teaching experience. Professor Lobo is renowned for his innovative teaching methodologies. Alongside him, we had Mrs. Rathana Pinto, a seasoned psychology trainer. Both facilitators were presented with tokens of appreciation by Dr. Sandra Lobo, the NAAC coordinator, and Ms. Sarik Ankitha, the Dean of Student Progression. We also extended a hearty welcome to our dedicated session volunteers, Ms. Samreen and Mr. Srijan. Following these warm welcomes, Professor Joslyn Lobo and the GRID team took the reins of the session.

Participants were actively engaged in interactive sessions, including icebreaker exercises and group discussions. These sessions not only encouraged the exchange of ideas but also facilitated self-discovery and the exploration of various interpersonal dynamics. To promote collaboration and mutual understanding among students from diverse backgrounds, participants were organized into teams and provided with questionnaires to share within their groups.

In the latter half of the event, the facilitators actively sought feedback and opinions from the students. Subsequently, they participated in another group activity, which involved creating charts and delivering presentations. The day concluded with a burst of creativity and enthusiasm as some participants voluntarily shared their singing and dancing talents. In total, approximately 70 students actively participated in this enlightening program.

At the end of Day 1 the "Stepping In" orientation program successfully achieved its goal of preparing the freshers for the exciting journey ahead while fostering a sense of community and innovation among them.
Report by Khansa (I BA)

Day 2
On the second day of the program, August 23, 2023, the GRID team hosted a captivating event focused on self-discovery and personal growth. The primary goal of this event was to guide participants in introspection, help them recognize their strengths and areas for improvement, and enhance their creative thinking abilities. The day was thoughtfully designed with a series of engaging activities and insightful discussions.

The event began with an invigorating warm-up session, energizing all the students and creating a comfortable atmosphere for the day ahead. Following this, students delved into a self-introspection exercise, prompting deep reflection on their likes, strengths, dislikes, and areas for personal growth. This activity encouraged students to explore their inner thoughts and feelings.

A unique and impactful activity followed, where students were encouraged to identify and share the strengths and positive qualities of their peers. This exercise underscored the idea that it's often easier to recognize strengths in others than in ourselves. Through this activity, students discovered the power of positive feedback and how it can profoundly impact relationships.

Next, students engaged in an activity involving the creation of a metaphorical "Tree of Self-Discovery." In this symbolic representation, the tree signified their personal growth journey, with the roots symbolizing the people who have influenced them, the trunk representing their strengths and weaknesses, and the branches representing crucial aspects of their lives. Subsequently, students were divided into small groups to discuss each other's "Trees of Self-Discovery," revealing their unique life stories and perspectives. After this enriching activity, students took a break for lunch.

The event resumed with a light-hearted game, re-energizing everyone for the afternoon sessions. The focus of the afternoon was on enhancing participants' creative thinking abilities through various activities such as riddles, drawings, and challenging games, all designed to encourage divergent thinking. These activities encouraged students to think outside the box and embrace innovative solutions.

A pivotal session of the event centered around setting SMART goals—goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Students learned the art of formulating clear and attainable goals, a skill that will serve them well in their personal and academic lives.
The event concluded with an informative talk on stress management. Students received valuable insights and practical strategies to control and reduce stress in their daily lives, equipping them with essential life skills.

The workshop organized by GRID, provided students with a meaningful platform to explore their strengths, weaknesses, and personal journeys. Through a combination of introspective activities, creative thinking exercises, and informative sessions, students gained valuable insights into themselves.

Report by Manasvi and Inika (l BA)