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SIES COLLEGE OF ARTS, SCIENCE AND COMMERCE
SION (W), MUMBAI - 400022
 
FORD FOUNDATION’S ‘PATHWAYS TO HIGHER EDUCATION’ PROGRAMME
(Supported by the Higher Education Cell, Centre for the Study of Culture and Society and Ford Foundation)
 
REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2011-2012
The Ford Foundation supported PATHWAYS to Higher Education Programme designed and implemented by Higher Education Innovations & Research Activities (HEIRA) of CSCS, Bengaluru seeks to develop a campus diversity model in 9 undergraduate colleges across the 3 states (Maharashtra, Karnataka & Kerala ) to enhance the quality of access to higher education for disadvantaged students. This four year programme focuses on skill building for socially disadvantaged students by Teacher Training in curricular and pedagogic reform so as to ease the integration of these students into the main steam.
 
WORKSHOP ON SOCIAL JUSTICE AND DIVERSITY
As a part of this program HEIRA in collaboration with the Centre for Internet and Society Bengaluru conducted a 3 days workshop in July 2011for students of SIES College. About 25 socially disadvantaged students participated. The objective of the workshop was to produce contextual, local and multiple interpretations and engagements with the notion of social justice, drawing from the participant’s experiences and imaginations.
The participants produced stories around social justice, identified issues and themes and built initial ideas for a short term campus project, addressing problems related to social justice and diversity on campus and or in the community. Dr. Nishant Shah, Director, CIS, Bengaluru along with Mr. Chetan Chauhan, a facilitator conducted the workshop. Dr. Tejaswini Niranjana, Lead reseacher HEIRA and Dr. Milind Wakankar, Coordinator Social justice initiative, HEIRA guided the workshop. Mrs. Asha Gala, Coordinator of Ford Pathways Programme of SIES College assisted by Mr. Abuzer Ansari Asst Coordinator organised the workshop.
STUDENT PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
Campus projects for 2011-12 were developed during a series of student workshops and were finalized with mentoring and assistance from the HEIRA regional facilitator Mr. Srikant Bhoite from Pune University.
The students finalised the project as the Analysis of the problem of social discrimination caused by the urban rural divide.
Key activities include:
  1. Visits to Dhobighat, Kumbharwada, Kala Killaa of Dharavi for interviews
  2. Workshops on Ethnography, video making  and writing skills
  3. Screening of short videos produced by students and group discussion with community interviewed and on campus
  4. Visit to Ahmednagar College and share leanings of the programme.
 
WORKSHOP ON ETHNOGRAPHY
In January 2012, Workshop on Ethnography was conducted by Mr. George Jose a Sociologist, from Mumbai University. The workshop aimed to introduce students to the idea of research, its objectives and basic research methods such as surveys and interviews. The attempt was to get the students to think critically about the issues which were identified in the project development workshops prior to the fieldwork. Mr. Tanveer Hasan, Coordinator HEIRA & Mr. Srikant Bhoite, regional coordinator were the facilitators. Mrs. Asha Gala organised the workshop. Ms. Rupal Vora, attended the workshop.
 
FACULTY DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP
Ms. Rupal Vora and Ms. Archana Sanil attended a faculty development workshop conducted by  HEIRA and CIS, Bengaluru in December 2011. The workshop focused on developing new curricula and pedagogic strategies to address issues of social justice and diversity in class room. The teachers developed sample course modules and discussed problems related to curricular reform.
  ASHA GALA
Head, Economics Dept.
and Coordinator Ford Pathways to Higher Education programme
Click here for photos
 
MID-TERM NARRATIVE REPORT
15th February, 2011
CAMPUS INITIATIVES 2010 – 11
WORKSHOP ON NEW TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIAL MEDIA
A two day workshop on New Technology and Social Media was conducted in the Information technology Laboratory of SIES College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Sion (W), Mumbai – 400022 on 6th and 7th September, 2010. 20 students from socially and economically disadvantaged class were selected from first year undergraduate courses. Out of these 20 students, 18 attended the workshop along with one student from SY class. Principal Dr. Harsha Mehta welcomed and felicitated Dr. Tejaswini Niranajana – Lead Researcher oh HEC, CSCS, Bangalore along with Dr. Milind Wakankar, Coordinator of Social Justice Initiative at HEC, CSCS, Bangalore. Dr. Sunil Abraham, Director of the Centre for Internet and Society, Bangalore, Ms. Kothai – a resource person, Mr. Arun (Consultant for impact assessment) and Mr. Rajesh, Technical Assistant. Dr. Tejaswini Niranjana explained the aims, objectives and details of the programme. Mrs. Asha Gala, Coordinator of SIES Pathways Programme gave details of the campus initiatives under the programme.
Dr Sunil, Ms. Kothai and Mr. Rajesh in a very innovative and participatory manner introduced the participants to the concepts related to technology like film editing, internet, email, use of search engines, editing SMS, youtube, facebook, sound mixing, documenting. Within the group, the mentors were created from those who were familiar with technology. Mentors Anjali, Srilata, Pushpa assisted other participants who were using the computer almost for the first time. Participants were given the camera and they clicked the stills and did video recording themselves. One of the participants Ms.Vidya described it as an “exciting experience”. Debate generating opinions on issues like ethics was interestingly handled by Dr. Sunil. Statements like “It is alright to copy from any source” or “Terrorists should be hanged in public” generated brainstorming session in the group debate. Video clippings from youtube related to innovative ways of human rights activists and liberation movement in the dance and drama form were enjoyed by the audience and were repeated by the participants in FYBA class for the benefit of other students.
The oral and written feedback from the students was very encouraging for such initiatives. Ms. Gala expressed gratitude to the organisers of the workshop – the Higher Education Cell, Centre for the Study of Culture supported by Society and Ford Foundation, the Centre for Internet and the Society, Bangalore for conducting such a useful workshop and also thanked the IT Department of the College led by Ms. Sudha B (Head of the IT Dept) and her colleagues especially Ms. Sarita B (Asst. Coordinator) and Mr. Sagar for facilitating the use of IT laboratory as the venue of the workshop.
 
WATCH AND VIEW (FILM SCREENING AND APPRECIATION)
Realising film as an important medium to sensitise the social issues, Pathways Programme covered screening of the following films

Film

Theme/ Issues
Do Aankhen Barah Haath

Innovative way of Rehabilitation of prisoners and human development
Swadesh
  1. Brain drain
  2. Rural development through education and infrastructural development like power generation
Naya Daur

“Man versus Machine” – issues related to mechanisation, rural unemployment and impact of urbanisation and globalisation on rural India
Caste Out

Status and life of socially disadvantaged class – Harijans of Gujarat
Every film was viewed and discussed by the audience of around 70 to 80 (staff and students) who expressed their opinions about the film and the related issues.
 
VIVIDHA ANNA
An exhibition showcasing India’s diversity through Indian vegetarian food was organised on 21st December, 2010 in the quadrangle of the college. Enthusiastic participation from different classes across the college brought in 77 entries for the competition. Devendra N. Pushpa, Yoshita Shah, Sachita Sethi and Larissa Namdar coordinated the event. Prof. Ashalata Bhatt (Politics Dept, Jr. College) and Prof. Anuya Dharap (Marathi Dept, Jr. College) judged the competition patiently and used the evaluative criteria like Nutrition Value, taste, variety and innovative style of presentation along with the questions answered by the participants. Five students won the Best Recipe Prize. They are as follows:

Name

Recipe

Bhayani Darshika

Khasta Kachori

Jain Neelam

Gujarati Meal

Gala Rahi

Layered Shahi Biryani

Mhatre Arshata

Bhakri Chutney

Priyansh Shah

Indian Pasta
30 students were awarded Outstanding recipe prize as an encouraging gesture and all the participants were given a Certificate of Participation.
Principal Dr. Harsha Mehta, Vice – Principal Dr. Smita Durve, Vice – Principal Gayatri Narayan, Prof. A. B. Mujumdar along with dozens of teachers, parents and hundreds of students enjoyed this Indian dhamaka of food festival and India’s diversity. The visitors requested a copy of the recipe book which is proposed to be printed.
 
PATHWAYS PATHNATYASHALA
Seeing streetplay as a very powerful medium of awareness and sensitivity, under Pathways Pathnatyashala – 2 sessions were conducted as the Workshop.
  • On 20th December, 2010 the workshop  was conducted by Mr. Vijendra Kadam (Marathi Theatre Personality) and Mr. Nagvekar (Scriptwriter) on “Issues of justice in higher education”.
  • On 14th January, 2011 the workshop was conducted by Ms. Asha Gala on ‘Use of voice modulation and voice culture in the streetplays’.
Around 25 students participated in the above workshops. A series of sessions are proposed to be held in the month of April and May 2011 with the expected output of production of a streetplay.
 
VIVIDHA – PHOTO EXHIBITION ON THE DIVERSITY OF SION AND DHARAVI (MUMBAI)
Very artistic photo exhibition depicting diversity of Sion and Dharavi was presented in the college quadrangle on 18th and 19th January, 2011. The students explored diversity of this local area through barefoot research. Around 1000 photographs were captured by the students, out of which around 600 photographs were creatively presented with the themes demarcated in separate sections as Education, Health, Public Administration and Governance, Infrastructure, Livelihood Habitat, Streetlife, Transport, Roads, Eateries, Markets, Recreation, Place of Faith, Environment, etc. Catchy captions of each section like JAGO, RISE WITH EDUCATION, HOPE  OF HABITAT, HEALTH in whose hands?, etc. and each chart attracted attention of hundreds of visitors everyday. On the eve of the exhibition visitors like Principal Dr. Pradhan (Ex- Pro Vice – Chancellor of Mumbai University) and Dr. Sonavane, Babasaheb Ambedkar University (team members for selecting Best College of Mumbai University) carefully watched each chart and caption as well as interacted with the students about their learning from the exhibition. The exhibition was widely appreciated and was extended for 2 days due to public demand. A special Thermocol model of Sion was the centre of attraction and the T-Shirts and rangoli depicting the logo of SIES Pathways Programme were especially noticed by one and all for their precision, concept and design. The logo was conceived by Ms. Asha Gala, computerised art work was done by Ms. Praneeta A. assisted by Mr.M. Haroon and put in rangoli by Ms. Kavita Bhopatkar. Eco- friendly handmade paper was used for the exhibition. The exhibition became mobile exhibition when Mahatma Education Trust’s M. J. College, Dharavi put up the same exhibition in the premises of their college on the Republic Day, 26th January, 2011. Arshata, Vidya, Gayatri, Sharanya, Thomas, Rajeshwari, Nishant, Ganga, Amar, Varun, Pushpa, Vinoth, Sneha, Priskilla put in special efforts for the exhibition. No wonder, even some grandparents were the enthusiastic visitors for this fantastic effort. The Exhibition Committee of Staff and Student volunteers deserve kudos. The presence of Ms. Pratibha Pai (Physics), Ms. Kavita Bhopatkar (Vocational Electronics), Ms. Aarati Suryavanshi (Psychology) and Ms. Sarita B (IT) during the exhibition was motivating for the students. The College wishes to give this exhibition a long life by laminating and preserving it as a cherishable archive.
 
TWO-DAY NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SOCIAL JUSTICE – ISSUES AND INITIATIVES
SIES College of Arts, Science and Commerce was selected to be part of institutional network for the Ford Foundation supported prestigious Programme ‘Pathways to Higher Education’. This unique three year programme is being conducted as a part of Social Justice Initiative of the Higher Education Cell at the Centre for the Study of Culture and Society, Bangalore in nine undergraduate colleges across three states in India (Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala). SIES Ford Pathways Cell, coordinated by Ms. Asha Gala, Associate Professor and Head of Economics Department, had organised a two – day National Conference on the theme of ‘Social Justice – Issues and Initiatives ’ on the 18th and 19th of January, 2011. The conference primarily focused on issues with social justice vis-à-vis education, media, art and culture, the legal system, etc. and the initiatives taken by various NGOs and institutions in their bid to achieve the same. A photo exhibition, ‘Vividha’ was also put up on the above two days, which depicted the social diversity in Sion and Dharavi areas of Mumbai.
The conference was well-attended by various dignitaries, resource people, teachers and above all enthusiastic students. The first day of the conference began on time with the inaugural session. Mr. Mohammad Haroon Shah rendered the invocation song and was accompanied by visually challenged students Ms. Radha Bakle (Tabla) and Mr. Prakash Yadav (Harmonium). The Chief Guest Dr. R. K. Hebsur former Pro–Vice Chancellor and Deputy Director of Tata Institute of Social Sciences was welcomed by the Principal of the college, Dr. Harsha Mehta, who in her welcome-speech thanked Dr. Hebsur for agreeing to be part of such a “spontaneous cause”. The conference was formally inaugurated by Dr. Hebsur, who with the Principal and the Vice – Principals, Dr. Smita Durve and Ms. Gayatri Narayan lit the auspicious lamp. Ms. Asha Gala, coordinator of the Programme gave details of the Pathways to Higher Education Programme and the theme of the conference. The guests, resource persons, office bearers of the college, parents and students who had put in special efforts for the programme were felicitated.
Ms. Arshata Mhatre (FYBA) shared her experiences in Marathi and expressed her joy of learning new things from Technology Workshop, Vividhanna, Food Festival and Exhibition under Pathways programmes. Ms. Sachita Sethi a student assistant placed in the Pathways Cell was full of emotions about her rich experience while working in the Pathways Cell. Dr. Hebsur, in his inaugural speech discussed about various aspects of injustice and the “interventionist” role that education has to play in changing the same. The Programme was attended and appreciated by
Vice – Principal Ms. Saraswati R of SIES College of Commerce and Economics,
Mrs. Aarati Prasad, a Senate Member of Mumbai University and Associate Professor of Economics, SIWS College, Dr. Suniti Nagpurkar Head, Economics, Vivekanand College, Prof. C. Joshi, Kirti College. The post-inaugural session was a talk by
Dr. Rajam Natarajan Pillai- Publisher and Editor of Kutubnuma on ‘Language as a tool of social discrimination/ justice’. Dr. Pillai regaled everybody present with her anecdotes and cited that empowerment was not just for women but for all and that the only means of achieving it was through knowledge. The session was conducted by Mrs. Lakshmi Muthukumar, Head of English Department. Ms. Gayatri Gulvadi (FYBA) proposed formal vote of thanks.
The post-lunch session was chaired by Ms. Meenakshi Venkatesh, Associate Professor and Head of Commerce Department. Ms. Nandini Krishna, a PG student from Bangalore gave a touching account of her personal experience in overcoming a physical disability in her efforts to get educated and meet challenges of competitive world of higher education. The next speaker was Dr. Vibhuti Patel, Director, Centre for Post Graduate Studies and Research, Head of Economics, SNDT University. She traced the development of various laws passed in favour of women in India over the years and the role of NGOs in achieving social justice for women. She also spoke about different forums in Mumbai like Dilasa, Abhivyakti, Anusandhan, SNEHA, SAKHYA, etc., who work for empowerment of women. Ms. Sameera Khan, Journalist, Writer and Researcher, was the next speaker and she spoke knowledgeably on ‘Going beyond the 5Ws and 1H: Role of the Indian Media in promoting Social Justice’. She pointed out how the Press “pumps up” certain issues to gain visibility and the important role media has to play in social justice.
The last session of the day was a talk on ‘Social Justice for women in unorganised sector in waste management’ by Ms. Jyoti Mhapsekar, President, Stree Mukti Sanghatana. Her talk was supplemented by the dynamic impactful performance of a play, ‘Samte kade vatchal’ by volunteers of the Stree Mukti Sanghatana. The play took account of journey of 150 years of women’s struggle – a movement towards social justice and equality. Ms. Chaya Datar, a renowned social activist’s special presence for the play was motivating for the participants. Mr. Bhaurao Mane, Chairman of Mahatma Education Trust Dharavi and Principal Ms. Vidya J. of M. J. College Dharavi spontaneously appreciated the programme.
The first session of the second day of the seminar was chaired by Vice – Principal Gayatri Narayan, Associate Professor, Department of Politics.
Ms. Simantini Dhuru, Director AVEHI, ABACUS Project was the first speaker and spoke on how education has not been accessible to all the classes of the society and how the Right to Education Act is still an “unfulfilled promise”. The second talk was delivered by Dr. Sarika Kulkarni, Trustee, Lok Kalyan Shikshan Sanstha (LKSS) on ‘Enhancing quality education through Save Our School (SOS) Project’. Dr. Kulkarni spoke about the challenges faced by students of rural areas in procuring education and their endeavours to bridge the urban – rural divide. Students were inspired to join such initiatives. The Convenor of the conference Ms. Asha Gala had an interactive session with the students on decision making and the necessity to engage and empower skill development in the globalised world. She shared primary research based data on Skill Development Index. The session also included demonstration of the skills developed by students engaged in Haath Mein Sehat (HMS) Programme, which empowered students while creating awareness related to safe drinking water and sanitation among the students of Bombay Municipal Schools of Dharavi, Bandra, Lower Parel, etc. A film ‘Caste Out’ based on the life of Harijans of Gujarat was an eye opener to the audience.
The post-lunch session which was chaired by Ms. Leela Subramanian, Associate Professor, Department of Statistics, began with a talk by Ms. Vidya Satish, Director, SIES Institute of Comprehensive Education on ‘Puppetry as an educational aid for promoting social justice’. She also gave a practical demonstration by putting up an innovative puppet show based on social issues like discrimination in education and caste system with the help of her students. The next speaker, Mr. Rajeev Panday, Advocate, Director, International Human Rights Foundation spoke on ‘Role of judiciary in social justice’. He revealed the appalling fact that judiciary had very little role to play in social justice and that change can only be brought about by the common man who has to take an active part in policy making. His views initiated brainstorming discussion and opinions of the audience. Ms. Sureka Joshi, Kirtankar and Sanskrit scholar, President, Sanskrit Bhasha Sansthan spoke on the contribution of Maharashtra’s saints in educating the marginalised through traditions of kirtan and abhangas. Ms. Joshi also involved the entire audience in kirtan singing.
The conference came to an end with valedictory function. The Chief Guest for the occasion was Dr. G. G. Wankhede, Professor and Chairman, Centre for Studies in Sociology of Education, School of Social Sciences, Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Dr. Wankhede summed up the entire spirit of the conference. He spoke on ‘Higher Education and Social Justice’ and pointed out how the choice of higher education in India was very random and casual, the need to revise the same and stressed on how human resources can be channelized only through education. His thoughts ignited minds of many young student participants who sought the guest speaker’s views on Brain drain, desirability of reservation policy, quality of education, competition in the globalised world and corruption in education.
Ms. Asha Gala then delivered the thank-you note. She thanked Ford Foundation, Higher Education Cell of CSCS, Bangalore, Dr. Tejaswini Niranjana, Lead Researcher, CSCS, Dr. Milind Wakankar, Ms. P P Sneha of CSCS, Bangalore, Dr. Sunil Abraham and Ms. Kothai  of the Centre for Internet and Society, Bangalore, SIES Management, Principal and other office-bearers of the College, the participants, the resource panel, the chairpersons, the organising committee, Ms. Pallavi Rege (Stats), Mr. Abuzer Ansari (IT) and Ms. Shruti Panday (Economics) for coordinating with resource persons, the volunteers, teaching & non-teaching staff as well as the greatest strength of the institution, the students, for having made the two-day conference a grand success. She also pointed out that the conference has thrown open doors of opportunity and thought for all present which will be documented in the magazine of the Pathways Programme. Ms. Gala distributed mementos and had a pat for every back that had helped in the organisation of the conference. The conference ended on a sweet note with everybody relishing some delicious ice-cream.
 
PATH-AAROHAN : PATHWAYS INTER COLLEGE COMPETITIONS
The invitations for the above competitions are being sent to Colleges of Mumbai and SNDT University as per the following details

EVENTS:
Essay Competition: Maximum 1000 words in English/Hindi/Marathi (Handwritten)
 
TOPICS: 
  • Justice to Bhopal gas tragedy victims
  • Right to information
  • Unity through sports
Cartoon Making:
TOPICS:
  • Social justice
    • Social diversity
Card Making :
TOPICS:
  • Child labour
  • Untouchability
Slogan Competition:
TOPIC:
  • Curbing corruption

The last date of submission is 25th February 2011.
 
SHIKSHA HAKKA
A research project on Right to Education would be undertaken during the period March to June 2011.
 
INTERACTIVE SESSION WITH DR. MILIND WAKANKAR
    • Coordinator of Social Justice Initiative of HE Cell, CSCS, Bangalore was held on Monday, 31st January, 2011 between 10:30am and 12:30pm in the Multi-Media Room where participants shared their experiences and opinions in a very free environment and felt encouraged by his words of appreciation.
 
INTERACTIVE SESSION FOR IMPACT ASSESSMENT
was held on 3rd February, 2011 from 10:00am to 12:30pm in Room No. 16. Ms. Kothai and Mr. Arun from the HE Cell, CSCS, Bangalore conducted the session and sought feedback.
 
Click here for photos
 
Asha Gala
(Co-ordinator)
Ford Pathways to Higher Education Programme
Associate Professor and Head Economics Dept.		 Dr. Harsha Mehta
Principal
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