Institutional Distinctiveness

Fostering Social Responsibility: Cultivating Engaged Citizens Through Value-Based Education

Promoting Social Responsibility and Active Citizenship

Aligning with Vision and Mission:

Cultivating social responsibility and fostering good citizenship are core tenets of the college’s vision and mission.  We strive to instill social awareness in our students, empowering them to build positive relationships, serve as agents of social change, and contribute meaningfully to civil society.

Strategies for Social Engagement:

The college implements a multifaceted approach to foster social responsibility among students. This approach is centered around the organization of various Human Values Community Outreach (HVCO) activities.  These activities encompass a wide range of initiatives,  including:

• Health-focused initiatives:
  • Organization of free medical and physiotherapy camps within the college campus and neighboring villages.
  • Provision of medical assistance and health check-ups, offering guidance on overcoming health challenges faced by the local population.
  • Collaboration with local hospitals and NGOs to offer physiotherapy services at various sporting events.
  • Management of four charitable physiotherapy OPDs in the city.
• Awareness campaigns:
  • Educational programs addressing critical social issues such as drug abuse, HIV/AIDS awareness, traffic safety regulations, and environmental protection initiatives such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission) and Van Mahotsav (National Tree Planting Festival).
  • Workshops and seminars promoting national integration, patriotism, and gender sensitivity.
• Community Service:
  • Active participation in national festivals and International days, including Yoga Day, Earth Day, and Environment Day.
  • Implementing the “Nai Pahal” and “Muskan” initiatives, providing educational resources and support to underprivileged children in neighboring schools.
  • Awarding prizes and scholarships to deserving students, particularly girls, from local schools.
  • Regular organization of cleanliness drives within the college and neighboring areas.

Tailored Approach for Rural Context:

Recognizing the unique needs of the surrounding rural communities, the college prioritizes initiatives aimed at addressing their specific challenges.  Many villages face a lack of basic healthcare facilities.  To address this need, the college conducts free medical and physiotherapy OPDs within the campus, while also organizing outreach health check-up camps in these villages.  Students actively participate in these camps, assisting faculty and medical personnel, while gaining valuable firsthand experience in serving their communities.

Dolphin Students’ Welfare Committee (DSWC): A Catalyst for Social Action

The DSWC plays a pivotal role in mobilizing students for social engagement. This committee, comprised of student members, volunteers, and faculty, actively spearheads a diverse range of initiatives:

• De-addiction Drive: Workshops, awareness programs, and counseling sessions aimed at combating substance abuse.
• Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: Regular cleanliness drives promoting hygiene and environmental awareness.
• Community Service Projects: Extending support to underprivileged children through educational resources and scholarships.

Collaboration for Success:

The college fosters collaboration between various departments and student organizations to ensure the success of HVCO activities.  This collaborative approach involves the following entities:

• DSWC – Dolphin Students’ Welfare Committee
• NSS – National Service Scheme
• YRC – Youth Red Cross
• Scouts & Guides
• NCC – National Cadet Corps
• Physiotherapy Department
• Pathology Department
• Medical OPD (Outpatient Department)

Measurable Outcomes:

The college diligently tracks the impact of its HVCO initiatives.  Over the past five years, these efforts have yielded demonstrably positive outcomes:

• Healthcare Outreach: Over 1800 patients in 23 neighboring villages received physiotherapy and medical services. Additionally, physiotherapy services were provided to the State Police Department, Sports Departments, national sporting events, and disability sports programs.
• Blood Donation Drives: Ten successful blood donation camps were organized, resulting in the collection of 833 units of blood donated to local blood banks by students, faculty, staff, and college management.
• Social Awareness and Engagement: Students actively participated in 53 outreach programs focused on diverse social issues, including drug abuse prevention, environmental cleanliness initiatives, road safety awareness, tree plantation drives, and yoga workshops. Furthermore, they extended support to underprivileged children through various programs. Additionally, twelve programs focused on gender sensitivity and women’s empowerment were conducted.
• Educational Opportunities: DSWC provides scholarships and financial assistance to deserving students from the state. The college has also sponsored prizes for top-performing students in state board examinations since 2015.

Recognition and Accolades:

In recognition of the college’s commitment to blood donation drives, the St. Joseph Academy Alumni Association and Amar Ujala Foundation jointly awarded the college the prestigious “Mahadanis of the Capital” award on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti in 2017.  This award acknowledges the college’s significant contributions to blood donation efforts in the region.

Challenges and Considerations:

Despite the college’s unwavering commitment to social responsibility initiatives, a key challenge lies in balancing academic workloads with the time demands of these activities.  Students may feel that their busy academic schedules limit their participation in HVCO programs.  The college acknowledges this challenge and is committed to exploring solutions that foster a healthy balance between academic pursuits and opportunities for social engagement.

Resource Allocation:

Fortunately, the college management prioritizes social responsibility and readily allocates resources to support HVCO activities.  This commitment ensures the continued success of these important initiatives.

Conclusion:

The college’s dedication to fostering social responsibility through its Human Values Community Outreach programs is a cornerstone of its educational philosophy.  By equipping students with social awareness, a commitment to service, and the skills to contribute meaningfully to their communities, the college empowers them to become engaged citizens and positive agents of change in the world.  The college’s ongoing efforts to address social challenges, promote health and well-being, and advocate for underprivileged communities serve as a testament to its unwavering commitment to social responsibility and the betterment of society as a whole.