BEST PRACTICE 1:

Title of the Practice: “Involvement of University in Social Activities” Objectives of the Practice

• To inculcate the spirit of social service in our students so that they can learn to recognize it as a part of their education.
• To develop awareness among students towards existing social disparities in income, education, health, and nutrition; and to instill comparison and empathy in the minds of young people towards the needs of deprived section of the society.
• To work for the betterment of the poor and marginalized section of the society and try to help them through various programmes, like awareness about health, education, arranging blood donation camps, and tree plantation.
• Free teaching to the poor and deprived students, awareness about encephalitis.
• Involvement of faculties, students, and alumni in social activity.

The Context

Illiteracy and poverty are interrelated and one of the deep-rooted problems of our society. The main purpose of this practice is to enhance the quality of life among the people by providing them with awareness about their health, education, and environment. Because of the lack of knowledge and awareness, sometimes in many places, it becomes difficult to convince the people about the various issues like the importance of education, blood donation, cleanness, vaccination programme for COVID-19, etc.

The Practice

University has created a synergy between its community work and outreach platforms such as NSS, NCC, Women Cell, and Alumni Association, thereby creating a multivalent and mutually renewing forum for meaningful dialogue, action, and interaction. To enhance the quality of life among the poor and deprived sections of the society in nearby areas of the campus, students visit and interact with villagers and discuss issues related to health, hygiene, and education. Volunteers also teach children from these areas free of cost and provide the necessary help. Students are pickup and drop from their homes for teaching and all necessary study materials are provided. Various types of other activities like dance and singing competitions etc. are also practiced to enhance the overall growth of students. They celebrate festivals like Holi, Diwali, and other festivals with them as small efforts towards inclusion.

MMMUT has adopted villages named Jungle Ayodhya Prasad, Jungle Belwar, Jungle Ram Lakhana, Dumari Khurd, and Ranigunj to impart training to the unskilled persons of the villages and guide them about the importance of education, cleanness, and health issues. We also suggest various ways to enhance their income by doing small jobs after getting the training from different organizations according to their needs/interests.

Volunteer students and some faculty members along with local organizations run by our alumnus are doing various social activities like tree plantations, blood donation, distribution of essential commodities during floods, COVID-19, awareness about Encephalitic, etc.

Evidence of success

Various practices adopted by this university have been very successful in the intensity and reach of its vision and action. The institute has been able to sensitize its volunteers and other students about the need and nature of social work and also in reaching out to the villagers in the vicinity of this university. After providing awareness about education, cleanness, and health to the villagers, it was noticed that farmers start sending their children to schools for education. It was also found that they have become more careful about their health, education, and cleanliness. Many blood donation camps have been organized in nearby areas where a large no. of volunteers have participated.

Problems encountered and resources required

The mindset of the inhabitants of the local had to be gradually changed by volunteers and faculty members. In the beginning, it was very difficult to convince the people about the key issues like education and health. Convincing people to send their children to school, instead of sending them to work was very difficult. But because of the support of some local people from the same areas, it was possible to make them aware of these important issues. Different types of training along with financial support are required to make them employable.