Best Practice

Institutional Best Practices

Best Practice I: “Naipunya- One Student – Oner Skill” 

I. Title of the Practice: “Naipunya- One Student – Oner Skill” – Naipunya is a Sanskrit word – which means “skil.” VTM NSS College, Dhanuvachapuram has adopted the Best Practice “Naipunya – One Student-One Skill” in order to equip the learners with a life skill other than their university prescribed curriculum.

Objectives:

i) To uphold the mission and vision of the institution – the institution aims to create and impart creative, critical, inclusive, socially sensitive and regionally viable knowledge for the holistic development of the students

ii) To aid the students to discover their aptitude and skill apart from their programme of study

iii) To inculcate life skills and enable them to be industry ready

iv) To equip our student community with a strong sense of responsibility and commitment in one’s own life and towards others as well.

v) To promote entrepreneurial ability among the learners and to provide them the confidence to face the practical world at large.

vi) To indoctrinate the qualities and ethics of team work, leadership and self-esteem.

The Context:

The first-generation learners in this institution struggle to come out and interact with the society at large due to lack of exposure in various social dimensions. In a highly competitive world, the learners are required to fight fiercely to mark a niche for themselves and the changing world scenario is such that the skill of a person earns them a gateway to success. With this novel thought, VTM NSS conducts the skill enhancement programmes “Naipunya – One Student – One Skill” as a pathway for the students to realise their potential and accomplish their dreams.

The Practice:

Experts from various fields were invited as resource persons and interested learners were given hands on training.

Evidence of Success:

Under the aegis of IQAC various departments and CBCS clubs conducted skill-oriented workshops.

Significant initiatives under Naipunya:

  • Craft Awareness Programme for students was conducted by the Department of History in association with IQAC. The programme was sponsored by Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) under The Ministry of Textiles and National Design Centre, New Delhi on January 2023.
  • Department of Malayalam in association with IQAC offered an Add on Course of DTP in Malayalam in the academic year 2022-23.
  • “Think outside the Trash” – As part of nature awareness month a workshop was organised by the Nature Club, Bio diversity Club, Media Club in association with IQAC on 14.06.2022.
  • Skill development training programme for students on handicrafts and jewellery making organised by the Department of Political Science in association with IQAC from 05/07/2022 to 15/07/2022.

Problems Encountered and Resources Required:

The only source of income for the college is through PTA fund which is used for all the academic, administrative, and miscellaneous expenses. Another constraint was that of time as organizing such sessions without disrupting the hours for teaching-learning. A major hurdle was the pandemic situation that rendered us helpless, as initially learners were apprehensive of learning a skill in a close-knit space, however, the classes were conducted by following all the COVID-19 protocols.

Best Pratice II: “Pragathi”-Holistic Progress of the Self and the Society”

  1. Title of the Practice:

“Pragathi”-Holistic Progress of the Self and the Society” – Pragathi is a Sanskrit word – which means progress and development. The college has adopted the second-Best Practice to ensure the holistic growth of the learners through academic, co-curricular and extra-curricular practices including social outreach community engagement programmes.

Objective of the Practice:

i) To uphold the mission and vision the institution – The institution aims to create and impart creative, critical, inclusive, socially sensitive, and regionally viable knowledge for the holistic development of its learners.

ii) To inculcate the values of social and humanitarian ideals amongst the learners.

iii) To impart a sense of ethics and compassion amongst the learners towards fellow beings in distress and misery.

iv) To equip our student community with a strong sense of responsibility and commitment in one’s own life and towards others as well.

v) To engender the value of community service.

vi) To nurture the qualities and ethics of team work, leadership, and self-esteem.

vii) To instil and promote a basic understanding of the humanitarian values and universal rights of every citizen.

Context:

Our mission is to help the students to address the needs of the local community, crossing cultural barriers, in a harmonious manner. By realising the needs of the marginalised and less privileged sections of the community, with special needs, we aspire to cross the socio-cultural and economic barriers.

Practice:

Our institution tries to enlighten the minds of the learners through activities beyond the curriculum. The core aspects of this practice are sensitising the academic community towards the challenges faced by the society, ecosystem, and natural habitat – devising inclusive strategies to meet the requirements and implementing the same with a deep sense of empathy.

Evidence of Success:

Under the aegis of IQAC various departments CBCS clubs, NCC and NSS conducted programmes with social commitment.

Significant initiatives under Pragathi:

  • La Fierté- Flagship programme of IQAC envisioned to support LGBTQ+ causes. Programmes are arranged in sync with Pride month celebrations.
  • Environmental Activities Club in association with the Mathematics Department, Biodiversity Club, and college IQAC celebrated World River Day on 25th September 2021, focusing on the villages near the bank of Neyyar River and educating villagers how to manage waste disposal without throwing it into the river. Students prepared the documentary “Enikkumundu Parayan”, which means The River wants to say Something.
  • “Vimukthi”- Anti drug campaign organized by NSS on 6th February 2020.
  • ‘Serving with Gratitude’ conducted by NCC which lasted for around three months from April 2020. Meal for one time was provided to the people in need in nearby localities.

Problems Encountered and Resources Required:

The constraints of pandemic situation, posed a real problem. Being a rural and grant-in-aid institution, funding and outsourcing of finance/investments was also a major issue. A lion’s share of the learners are first generation students from rural and underprivileged background, hence personal/financial constraints and digital divide pose greater challenges to them. Yet, their enthusiasm is unmatched and they see the activities a doorway to social and community engagements

Best practice SSR