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TagOn Talks

A monthly newsletter on student volunteering, community service and service learning

Issue 07 | July 2024

From Editors' Desk

And we're back with another update from TagOn Talks! This time, Prof. Madumita Chatterji, Director, ABBS School of Management, shares exciting details about the initiatives at their institute, along with an intriguing story that you won't want to miss. Learning Bytes section talks about the importance of incorporating community engagement & service learning into the curriculumWe also focus on Health & Wellness as a cause in this edition and also feature an NGO working in the space. We conclude with an exciting update from LetsTagOn.


Happy reading,

Team LetsTagOn

Leadership Logs

Conversations with visionary education leaders shaping tomorrow's minds

What value you think community service adds to student’s life?

Community service plays a crucial role in a student's life by fostering a sense of ethics, responsibility, and compassion. It exposes students to societal issues, helping them develop empathy and a deeper understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through hands-on experiences, community service encourages the growth of values such as honesty and integrity, which are essential for creating responsible future leaders. Moreover, it teaches students the importance of using resources wisely and prioritizing long-term, sustainable growth over immediate gains.

Dr. Purushottam Bung

Prof. Madhumita Chatterji, PhD

Director

ABBS School of Management

What are the initiatives in your institute that promote community service/volunteering and service learning?

ABBS School of Management has enhanced its curriculum to focus on sustainability and responsible management. This includes a mandatory course on Corporate Social and Spiritual Responsibility and a three-month "Campus to Community" project where students work with NGOs and government agencies. The school also offers certifications in Sustainability, ESG, and Disaster Management. It has established a Centre of Excellence in Disaster Management and hosts an annual International Conference on Peace Economics. The institution is committed to fostering a sustainable mindset and compassionate leadership in its students, highlighted by initiatives like the "Wish Tree" project and partnerships with global organizations like PRME and SAADRI.


Can you share any specific story of transformation?

Throughout my nearly 30-year teaching career, one of the most impactful experiences was guiding management students as they worked with street children in Bangalore. Initially, the students, from privileged backgrounds, assumed they could easily convince a child to go to a shelter using chocolates and goodies. However, they quickly realized the complexities of the children's lives and their strong ties to their street community. This experience deeply changed the students, teaching them empathy and the importance of supporting marginalized communities. Today, these students, now successful professionals, continue to value human connections and give back to society.

Learning Bytes

Insights on service learning, volunteering and community service

We have been talking about the benefits of incorporating service learning into curriculum for the students and faculty. What benefit does it have to colleges and universities? Few examples can be noted here:

  • Faculty Engagement and Professional Development

Engaging in community service provides development opportunities for faculty to design new courses, integrate practical learning into courses and to develop engaging content. 

  • Strengthened Community Partnerships

A university develops better community partnerships through their social impact initiatives and develops credibility among the community. 

  • Research opportunities

Increased community engagement and practical initiatives provide innovative research and publishing opportunities.

  • Consideration in ranking and accreditation 

Through community engagement activities, colleges and universities can meet the requirements of the ranking and accreditation.

  • Positive Institutional Image

A university that actively engages in community service and contributes to local development can be seen as a socially responsible institution, attracting support and enhancing its overall reputation.


These benefits collectively enhance the institution’s mission and impact, creating a more vibrant and responsive educational environment.

Cause Spotlight

Health and Wellness as a cause

All of us got a peek into the state of healthcare systems during the pandemic. To achieve effective health care systems in place, we have to address all major health priorities, including reproductive, maternal and child health; nutrition, communicable, non-communicable and environmental diseases; universal health coverage; and access for all to safe, effective, quality and affordable medicines and vaccines. Maternal mortality, infant mortality, substance abuse, addictions, affordability of healthcare, health coverage and lack of awareness about health & wellness continue to plague the society. Mental health issues continue to rise and are a key cause of concern.


The NGOs in the space work towards providing quality healthcare to all.  Key areas of work of different NGOs are listed below. 

  • Organizing awareness drives to promote health, hygiene and wellness.

  • Providing access to healthcare through health camps and regular checks.

  • Operate palliative care centers.

  • Counseling support for mental health.

  • Awareness sessions on health & hygiene in schools.

  • Focused effort on specific health issues such as elderly, women and children.

A volunteer interested to work in the area of health and wellness has opportunities to contribute to the above initiatives and make an impact. 

NGO Showcase

Swasth Foundation

Swasth Foundation India Medical Center is a network of 20+ non-for-profit comprehensive health care clinics in Mumbai. Swasth stands for Sustained Wellbeing through Analysis, Service and Training with Harmony. It's vision is to provide health and joy for all. Motto is to be healthy and joy for all. It's mission is to build an integrated health system with joy.


They have conducted many projects in the field of health insurance. They have started up their primary-preventive healthcare clinics SIMC in Mumbai focussing on slum areas with a catchment of about 30,000 people. They have integrated pathology labs and medicine warehouses with the clinics. They have launched online health and wellness center for sustained well being in all dimensions of life. Very importantly they have standardizing and preparing for scale.

NGO Showcase

For more information check:  swasth.org

LetsTagOn Highlight

LetsTagOn team facilitated Social Immersion Program

Team LetsTagOn is happy to have conducted a day of Social Immersion at ISBR Business School for PGDM students of 2024-26 batch. The students had an incredible social immersion journey through sessions including team activities, presentations, engaging discussions, SDG awareness, volunteering and sensitisation activities.


Students were excited knowing more about the varied aspects of self, society and surroundings, broadening the horizons of students. This orientation will be followed by an year long credit course having more service learning activities. We are grateful to staff and management of the institution.

     
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