DE PAUL INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY [AUTONOMOUS]
ANGAMALY SOUTH, ERNAKULAM, KERALA - 683573
Approved by AICTE & Affiliated to MG University; NAAC 'A' Grade
ANGAMALY SOUTH, ERNAKULAM, KERALA - 683573
Approved by AICTE & Affiliated to MG University; NAAC 'A' Grade
A good number of extension and outreach programs are organized by the department of social work over the last few years[cite: 33]. With the Nedumbaseery Panchayath, the students were guided to conduct an extensive case study on the airport and climate change in Nedumbassery[cite: 33]. Furthermore, in collaboration with the NULM, a survey was conducted to thoroughly understand the life standard of the street vendors in 2016[cite: 33].
The department is highly proactive in observing major societal milestones, such as World Aids Day, Anti-Narcotic day, Women’s Day, World Health day, Environment Day, and World Social Work Day[cite: 33]. Over the past years, we have conducted many awareness programmes through impactful street plays and other participatory activities in various communities, and we continue this vital work with strong conviction and enthusiasm[cite: 33].
Outreach programs are given prime focus by the social work department, and all those programmes are meticulously coordinated with the De Paul Extension Service[cite: 33]. Social Impact Analysis, Blood donation camps, skill development classes for school children, health education for Anganwadi children, income generation programmes for women, and free medical camps are excellent examples of our ongoing extension activities[cite: 33].
As part of the Environment Day programme, a go-green campaign was conducted in Kalady Panchayath by the School of social work department, in close collaboration with the De Paul extension Service and in association with the CSR initiative of Muthoot Finance[cite: 33]. Rev. Fr.(Dr.) Robin Chittuparambil VC (Vice principal, De Paul institute of science and technology) inaugurated the programme[cite: 33]. All social work students were instructed to clean the roadside and actively collect plastic wastes along Ashram road[cite: 33]. It was a powerful social campaign aimed at making students as well as the local society deeply aware of the critical importance of protecting the environment and striving to make it plastic-free[cite: 33]. Every student put in their absolute best efforts[cite: 33]. Both students and local natives worked hand in hand, successfully making the programme a massive success[cite: 33].
Eco benches were brilliantly built in five panchayats: Malayatoor, Chengamanad, Parakadavu, Karukutty, and Kunnukara[cite: 33]. Both students and faculties joined together to build these innovative, eco-friendly benches for the community[cite: 33]. There were 10 benches made entirely out of used plastic bottles to powerfully convey a message to society: realise, reuse, and reform[cite: 33]. This represents a great initiative from the social work department in collaboration with the Muthoot Finance CSR initiative to successfully celebrate Environment Day[cite: 33].
Working together through the Co2 project, the Social Work department and DES successfully completed the eco brick bench construction[cite: 33]. The core motive of this project was to make students and society highly aware of the long-term after-effects of plastic waste in our environment, ensuring the programme is incredibly useful for future generations[cite: 33]. Students dedicatedly collected the plastic bottles from the college, panchayaths, and their home surroundings, gathering an astonishing 1500 bottles specifically for the purpose of bench making[cite: 33]. By seeing the massive quantity collected, we were truly amazed at how much plastic is being used daily[cite: 33].
To actively raise awareness about creatively reusing plastic wastes within the society, these benches were constructed[cite: 33]. Each bottle was tightly filled with mud, perfectly aligned between the pillars of bricks up to 3 to 4 feet high, and finally covered with strong concrete on top[cite: 33]. This sturdy bench can now be safely used by people to take a rest[cite: 33]. All panchayath presidents and residents were extremely happy with this helpful activity[cite: 33].
Note: The 1st bench was made on the 8th of June 2022 in the premises of the School of Social Work[cite: 33]. Due to some political circumstances, both Ayyampuzha and Manjapra panchayaths refused permits to build benches in their area, forcing the agency to build these specific benches in Kunnukara and Malayatoor panchayaths instead[cite: 33]. On the 10th of June, two benches each were made in Parakadavu, Karukutty, Kunnukara, and Chengamanad panchayaths[cite: 33]. Following requests from Kunnukara and Malayatoor panchayaths, 2 benches were clubbed together and built as one large bench[cite: 33]. On the 14th of June 2022, a final bench was proudly built on Adivaram Malayatoor[cite: 33].
The School of Social Work of DePaul institute of science and Technology proudly conducted National Girl Child Day and Global Education Day on 24th January 2021[cite: 33]. On this significant Day, the School of Social Work conducted various engaging competitions like poetry writing and poster making[cite: 33]. The primary aim of the programme was to effectively raise awareness regarding the critical importance of education, especially for the girl child, and to highlight the alarming prevalence of child abuse[cite: 33].
The School of Social Work conducted a World Cancer Day Programme on 4th February 2021[cite: 33]. The main aim of this vital programme was to spread cancer awareness among the public to encourage early detection[cite: 33]. The core message emphasized that everyone must receive proper care, empathy, and unwavering support upon being diagnosed[cite: 33]. That year's powerful theme was “I am and I Will.”[cite: 33]
The School of Social Work successfully conducted Human Rights day on 10th December 2021[cite: 33]. The school collaborated directly with Railway Child Line Ernakulum to execute the programme[cite: 33]. Enthusiastic students performed a Flash mob and an impactful Street play[cite: 33]. The primary aim of the programme was to raise critical awareness among the general public regarding their fundamental Rights[cite: 33].
The Social Work Department effectively conducted World Mental Health Day on 13th October 2021[cite: 33]. The guiding theme for the Day was "Mental Health in an Unequal World"[cite: 33]. It aimed specifically to draw much-needed attention to the people who are struggling the most with severe challenges, such as long-term health conditions and persistent social discrimination[cite: 33].
