Service Learning Programme
INTERDISCIPLINARY CONCLAVE ON DESIGNING AND IMPLEMENTING SERVICE-LEARNING PROGRAMMES FOR SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
The Deanery Research and Development, Madras Christian College, organized a three day Interdisciplinary Conclave on Designing and Implementing Service-Learning Programmes for Sustainable Community Engagement between 4 March – 5 March and 7 March 2024. The resource person for this conclave was Dr. Bryan MacHarg, Director of Academic Civic Engagement, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning for Student Success, Appalachian State University.
On the first day, 4th March 2024, the Conclave began with a general lecture delivered by Dr. Bryan MacHarg on Service Learning for the faculty members who were deputed by the academic Departments. Principal Dr. P. Wilson gave his introductory remarks about the Service Learning Programmes. This general lecture delivered by Dr. MacHarg was also the First Kini Endowment Lecture which took place in S120 Seminar Hall. Dr. MacHarg presented about the relevance of Service Learning Programmes and its relevance in Higher education. Service Learning Programmes can cause an impact on the student, society and the institution. The Second Session began at 2p.m. in the Council Room. The Departments of Chemistry, Social Work both Aided and SFS and Community Colleges presented the social engagement they are involved with and its impact on the society.
On the second day, 5th March 2024, Dr. MacHarg trained the faculty members in a Workshop on Service Learning Programme held at International Guest House Conference Hall. The day’s events were spread across four sessions and each one was addressed by Dr. MacHarg. The need for integrating Service Learning Programmes into the acadmic curriculum, the role of Non-Governmental Organisations, measures and precautions to be taken in planning and executing the SLP and measuring the outcome of the SLP were some of the most important orientation that was given by Dr. MacHarg. He also had interactive sessions enabling the faculty to discuss in groups and share their thoughts and encouraged the question and answer sessions.
On the third and final day, 7th March 2024, the interactions happened in the Council Room. Dr. MacHarg chaired the session and the faculty representatives from the Departments presented their proposals for the SLP to be taken up by their respective departments. Principal Dr. P. Wilson also joined the meeting through google meet. After presentation from each department, Dr. MacHarg and Dr. Wilson gave their suggestions for the improvement of each proposal. The session ended with a sum up made by both Dr. MacHarg and Dr. Wilson. The certificates were distributed at the end of the session and the vote of thanks was presented by Dr. Hanumantha Rao, Associate Dean, R&D. The programme came to an end with the lunch and all the faculty participants dispersed with an enriching experience and learning on Service Learning Programme.
