BRIEF REPORT

WALK WITH A SCHOLAR PROGRAMME
(SPONSORED BY GOVT OF KERALA)

2019-2020

WWS programmes were conducted as per the guidelines issued by the New Initiatives in Higher Education 2019-20. It consists of external mentoring sessions and internal mentoring sessions. External mentors were selected from across the state with expertise in various fields.15 faculties from various departments were selected as internal mentors, who are specialized in specific areas.30 aspiring and talented students from first year, second year and third years were selected as mentees for attending the programme. Both interal and external mentoring sessions went a long way in helping the mentees to overcome their nervousness and inhibitions while presenting their personal selves including their abilities, talents, dreams and personal background to their fellow mentees. Moreover the inputs provided by the mentors helped them to realize that the WWS Programme has been designed to provide guidance and motivation for their future career.

CO-ORDINATOR’S REPORT

The formal inauguration of Walk With a Scholar programme was done in TKM College of Arts & Science on 2^nd November 2019 in a befitting manner, by Dr. Smitha P.G, Principal of the institution. The ice breaking session for first year mentors was also conducted after the inaugural session. The first external mentoring session was handled by Mr. M.C. Rajilan, motivational speaker, soft skill trainer and counselor on the same day. On 14.11.2019, interaction with senior government servant was conducted. Shri. Vijayananthan IFS, Chief Conservator of Forests interacted with selected WWS students at his office, and the session was highly motivating, and inspiring. After the session, the students interacted with Shri. Muhammed anvar, assistant Conservator of Forests, in his chamber and he briefed about various employment opportunities in Government service, and the preparations required for various public examinations conducted by UPSC and KPSC.

A session on gender sensitization was done by Kum. Lakshmi.M.L, freelancer and K2K rider on 16.11.2019. Her talk was highly inspiring especially for girls, and she shared her own experiences during K2K. Environment sensitization session followed, which was handled by Dr. George D’cruz, Retired Professor and former HOD, department of Zoology, FMNC College, Kollam. Lunch was also provided to the students, since there were FN and AN sessions.

On 30.11.2019, a session on topic ‘Learning soft skills and presentation skills’ by professor sreeraj.R, trainer and placement officer, Bishop Jerome Institute. He has been handling this session for WWS students for years together, due to the interest of the students on the topic. On the same day, a session on ‘Goal setting- making action plans to achieve goals’ was handled by Shri. G.T Rajan, Mind Power trainer. Food was provided to the students on the day.

On 7.12.2019, session on ‘how to review a journal article’, for second year students in FN, and another session on ‘How to read and review an academic book’ for first year students in AN were conducted by Dr. Jasimudeen.S, UGC librarian, St. Stephen’s College, Uzhavoor. It was a session intended at developing the aptitude towards research among the students. Food was provided to the students on the day.

On 14.12.2019, the self expressive art form was presented before the students by Sri. Adarsh M.S, and after the presentation, he interacted with the students. He shared his own experiences of becoming a mimicry artist. In the AN session, Adv. Bhuvanendran Nair, Faculty of Law, Civil Service Academy, Thiruvananthapuram lead a class on ‘Understanding the Constitution and democratic values’, which was a detailed session on the topic, and the participants were highly benefitted as the topic was explained in depth. Food was provided to the students on the day.

On 19.12.2019, Dr. Suresh C Pillai, Senior scientist, Institute of Technology, Sligo, Ireland visited our College to lead the one- week lecture series organized by science departments of the College. An interaction with the internationally renowned scientist from Kerala was arranged for WWS students, and he was honoured with a ponnada by WWS.

On 4.01.2020, a session on ‘Developing Scientific Temper, essential aspects of research and Contemporary Society’ was done by sri. Tushar soubhari, Assistant professor, PG Department of Commerce, NSS College, Manjeri. In the AN session, a class on self defense was taken by Sensei Nishad, Karate coach and Technical Committee member, Karate of Japan Federation. It was a must-have session, especially for the girls.

On 13.01.2020, a session on ‘Excellence in doing Research’ was handled by Dr. Mohammed Musthafa.K, UGC librarian, TKM College of Arts & science. It was the last external mentoring session during 2019-2020 WWS.

All the external mentoring sessions were conducted as per the guidelines issued by the New Initiatives in Higher Education 2019-20. Students feedback was properly collected along with attendance in a separate register maintained for external mentoring.

Internal mentoring sessions:

The total number of ten sessions was successfully completed by the Internal Mentors of first year, seven sessions for second year and six sessions for third year. All the internal mentoring sessions were conducted as per the guidelines issued by the New Initiatives in Higher Education 2019-20. Flexibility was allowed and additional inputs were provided in Internal Mentoring sessions based on the specialization of individual mentors. The first session of all the batches were an Ice Breaking Session centered on Self Introduction and Personal Graphing.  These sessions went a long way in helping the mentees to overcome their nervousness and inhibitions while presenting their personal selves including their abilities, talents, dreams and personal background to their fellow mentees. Moreover the inputs provided by the mentors helped them to realize that the WWS Programme has been designed to provide guidance and motivation for their future career. The Internal Mentors were able to convince the mentees that they would stand by them throughout the academic years to pursue their goals. Available technology and facilities were very effectively used for proper co-ordination of all mentors and mentees. Separate WhatsApp groups were formed by the co-ordinator for internal mentors and mentees, through which details of each session including photos of individual sessions. Principal was also highly updated as she was also a member of these groups. A good liaison and updated feedback was possible through the WhatsApp group for mentees, and their suggestions and requirements were given due consideration, and sessions were planned accordingly.  Separate register was maintained in Principal’s room for internal mentoring sessions. Another register was maintained by co-ordinator for taking attendance of mentors and mentees during internal mentoring sessions. Reflective diary in a specific format was collected from mentees by co-ordinator for each internal mentoring session. Quality of internal mentoring was ensured through the above initiatives.

DETAILS OF INTERNAL MENTORS