Making a Difference Beyond the Campus Walls in India’s Private Universities
Higher Educational Institutions, in the 21st Century, are no longer restricted to the four walls of a campus building Besides the traditional roles of imparting Knowledge and skills, Higher Education Institutions are making a deep impact on our societies, beyond the Campus Walls., ensuring they preach what they learn.
Besides other activities, these activities impact the economic development of our societies. In this blog, we shall know how NCU is extending its influence beyond its four walls and contributing to the good of society. Some deep-rooted impacts include Water Conservation, reducing the carbon footprint, literacy programs, Awareness of digitalization, community service, and legal aid service which NCU has adopted to create a legacy and a need for positive change in our society.
Community Service
The National Service Scheme has been in operation at NCU since Oct 2015. The scheme enrollees nearly 100 volunteers every year, who work throughout the year, during their spare time to identify the needs and problems of the community and involve them in the problem-solving process.
Some remarkable social service activities include conducting Blood donation camps in collaboration with the Rotary Club Gurugram. Adoption of two villages and four Government Schools, distribution of furniture and stationary, promotion of skilled literacy programmes, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, and Career counselling to students.
- The NCU School of Law through the Clinical Legal Education Cell, provides effective and sustainable solutions and justice in Gurugram. Marginalised and disadvantaged members of our society lack the knowledge and understanding including finances to access basic law. They are even unaware of their rights. The Cell organises Sabhas, visits villages, and local communities, and arranges interactive sessions to discuss the legal issues and entitlement rights to help keep exercising their rights. Another very important social activity has been the social rehabilitation of inmates of Bhondsi Jail in Gurugram.
- The Chetna Club regularly carries community welfare through self-refinement, self-reliance, holistic health, de-addiction, and environmental protection. It conducts Workshops in schools, colleges, and corporate houses to promote value-based education, A bi-weekly Club sessions on yoga, meditation, stress, and life management. Anti-addiction awareness campaigns are held in nearby societies regularly and will include rallies, workshops, and counselling. Besides these activities tree plantation (Vriksha Ganga campaign) and cleaning drives are also conducted by this club. Most work is voluntary and students conduct these during their off-class hours.
- Reducing the Carbon Footprint – To support the National cause of reducing the carbon footprint, the University has taken steps like the construction of 150 KW Solar Panels for electricity, a Programmable thermostat in the centralised air conditioning unit, replacing the outdated incandescent lights with LED lights, Programmable regulators in water taps, etc.
- The IEEE Club: The Social service wing of the Club has undertaken several initiatives for the welfare of the local societies. A major contribution has been galvanising resources from the government machinery and local resources to provide food and shelter to hundreds of migrant labourers during COVID-19 in April. May and June 2020. Webinars on the Breast Cancer awareness program were held at the University recently as nearly 60 % of faculty members in the University are females.
- Enactus Club: NCU has been at the forefront by bringing together determined individuals, organisations, and businesses to better society via entrepreneurial actions. Its vision lies in producing sustainable growth in not-so-pronounced sectors of society and making humble efforts to make their lives easier. It evokes creativity, earnest attitude, innovation, and out-of-the-box ideas. It is a platform for various social-oriented projects that help diverse communities socially, economically, and psychologically. Events organised by the Society in the recent past are the KPMG Grant Project, Workshop by the Chief Innovation Officer of Enactus World, World Water Race, Workshop on Organic Farming, Project Sahayta, etc.
- Association with Brahma Kumari Rajyoga Centre Gurugram: NCU’s association with Brahma Kumari over the last decade has been amazing. The innovative and positive thinking Class conducts deep meditation sessions which have unlocked new ways to think creatively and master the art of self-management. Students have been promoting this concept to society and it has brought about the ways Students think differently in managing their anger and outbursts.
- Miscellaneous Activities: NCU students conduct activities like education for underprivileged students through visits to NGOs located in Gurugram, Conducting road safety awareness campaigns through local police, espousing National Cause during Independence and Republic Day by creating awareness among citizens to host National Flag on their homes, Visit to Old Age Homes and carrying activities of Jan Sunvai with the Government of Labour Department.
Conclusion The NorthCap University, a Top University in Delhi NCR has been at the forefront, and proactively engaged throughout the year with the help of their Students and Staff members has shown to the Society at large that there is much more for students than the transcendental boundaries of an Higher education institutions. This different perspective for students helps them in fostering social responsibility and Innovation. Such activities only reaffirm the fact that the Higher Educational Institutions in India have a bigger role to play beyond campus for a brighter future for all.