P.G. Prospects at TISS : Entrance - Extempore - Interview Tips

 Tata Institute of Social Sciences is offering 57+ PG Degree programmes from its Mumbai, Tuljapur, Guwahati, and Hyderabad campuses. The postgraduate programmes range from Social Work with Criminology and Justice Disability Studies and Action, Dalit and Tribal Studies, Mental Health, Women Centred Practice, Counseling, Children and Family, Community Organisation and Development Practices, Livelihood and Social Entrepreneurship, Public Health, Rural Development; Climate Change and Environment oriented programmes like Environment Climate Change and Sustainability Studies, Ecology-Environment-Sustainable Development; Public Health courses in Hospital Administration, Social Epidemiology, Health Administration; Public Policy oriented programmes like Public Policy and Governance, Cities and Governance, Natural Resources and Governance, Urban Policy and Governance, Regulatory Policy and Governance, Water Policy and Governance; Mental Health specialisations in Applied Psychology (Counseling and Clinical), Global Mental Health, Animal Assisted Therapy; Human Resource Management and Social Entrepreneurship; Peace and Conflict Studies; Development Studies, Women Studies; Education; Sociology and Social Anthropology; Disaster Management; Media and Cultural Studies et al.

Placements : Government schemes, missions, ministries and departments like NITI Aayog, Ministry of Social Empowerment and Justice, National Rural Livelihood Mission, Kudumbashree, Telangana State Development Authority; Multilaterals like UNICEF, WHO, UNDP; CSR verticals of PSUs like NTPC, Oil India, GAIL; large corporations like Reliance Foundation, Piramal Foundation, Zydus Cadilla; consulting firms like KPMG, PwC, Deloitte, EY; tech companies like Uber, Indigene, Infosys; Healthcare organisations like Cloud Nine Hospitals, Apollo Group of Hospitals; social enterprises and grassroot level organisations like PRADAN, Save The Children, PRAYAS, Naz Foundation, Oxfam International, Apni Shala and many impact driven initiatives have hired graduates from TISS for internships during the course and final job placements after graduation. As per data submitted by TISS with National Institute of Ranking Framework (Ministry of Education) the median salary of PG Programmes is Rs 6 Lakhs per annum across the aforementioned courses. Starting salaries offered in recent years have gone up to Rs 20 - 23 Lakhs per annum depending on the job profile and competence of the graduates. Young Professionals, Program Managers, Monitoring and Evaluation, CSR Executive, Quality Assurance Manager, Policy Advocate and Researcher are few of the many job profiles offered during campus placements. A significant number of graduates apply for further education like pursuing PhD every year at TISS.

Selection Procedure : The application for PG Programmes at TISS usually go live from the first week of December till the end of January next year. Candidates can apply for a maximum of three programmes across any of the two campuses indicating the order of preference. TISS shortlists candidates initially through TISSNET (TISS National Entrance Test) conducted in 40 different towns/cities. The shortlisted candidates have to appear for Online Assessments (OA) comprising an Online Extempore and Online Personal Interview specific to the programmes they have been shortlisted for the final selection.

TISSNET Structure : TISSNET is a computer based MCQ test of 100 minutes duration with no negative marking applicable for single or multiple preferences of programmes submitted by candidates during their application. The medium of TISSNET is English.

The basic structure of TISSNET is:

40 Questions on General Awareness: Questions are asked from Politics, Social Studies, Science & Technology, Environment, Sports, Art & Culture, Indian History to assess awareness about current affairs, developmental, socio-political issues. Sectional cut-off for General Awareness (GA) is applied for qualifying the

TISS-NET. Candidates not scoring the minimum cut-off mark for the General Awareness as above will not be qualified for TISS NET irrespective of the aggregate score

Sectional Cut Off (SCO) applied : GN, EWS, KM, and AF – 35% i.e. 14 Marks; PWD and OBC(NC) – 30% i.e. 12 Marks; SC and ST– No sectional cut-off applied

30 Questions on Mathematics and Logical Reasoning: Basic Arithmetic, Basic Geometry, Basic Trigonometry, Basic Statistics, Number Series, Data interpretation, Logical reasoning with a preparation level up to Class X

30 Questions on English Proficiency : The broad type of questions are asked from Word choice/sentence correction, Odd-one-out, Analogies, Synonyms & Antonyms, Grammar, Verbal reasoning, Reading comprehension with a preparation level up to Class X

TISSNET Tips : Aspirants need to optimise their preparation by filtering out current affairs and static GK contexts using the lens of intersectionalities like gender, caste, religion; livelihood and entrepreneurship schemes, environmental awareness, sustainable and inclusive policies, disasters, historical reforms etc.

Analytical and Problem Solving skills feature amongst the top requirements in employability and TISSNET tests a candidate’s basic comfort in reading and interpreting charts and tables with fundamental calculations on percentage, profit and loss, ratio proportion, probability, geometry and logical reasoning questions on games and puzzles, arrangements, direction sense, syllogisms to highlight a few. The ability to apply working English with grammatically correct constructions is a core focus in the English proficiency section. Agreement of the subject to the verb, tenses, correct usage of articles, prepositions, singular and plural verbs, contextual reasoning out synonyms and antonyms and the ability to summarise and synthesise comprehension passages are the usual pattern noticed in previous years. NCERT updated text books for General Awareness and Mathematics, Government of India and affiliate Ministry websites are useful sources of learning resources. Grammar books Wren and Martin, “Word Power Made Easy” by Norman Lewis help in formulating approaches to prepare well for the English proficiency questions.

Online Assessment Tips : A candidate’s compatibility with the shortlisted programme(s) is assessed with an extempore topic that they are required to reflect upon for 2 - 3 minutes followed by 15 - 20 minutes of interview by a three panel member of the TISS faculty. It’s important to highlight that knowing the prospect of programmes and their learning outcomes forms the framework to prepare for TISS Online Assessments. Exposure that can be integrated, lived experiences, attitude, mindset are few of the many attributes that the TISS faculty welcomes in a candidate to be exhibited during the interactive rounds.

TISSNET 2023 will be held on 25 February from 2pm - 3:40pm.

About the author: Sauraveswar Sen (12+ years of experience) is the founder of Catalyst Learning Services based in Kolkata. He is a mentor for placements at TISS, St Xavier’s College Mumbai, University of Calcutta and several institutes of eminence.

Source: Telegraph, 11/02/23

TISSNET 2023: Application forms released; check how to apply

 

TISSNET 2023: The application form released today, candidates can apply at the official website- tiss.edu or appln.tiss.edu.

The TISSNET 2023 admission notification for MA programmes has been released by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) today, 14 December. Interested candidates can log in to the official website of TISS– tiss.edu and begin their application process.

Candidates must note, the deadline for submitting the online application form is 15 January 2023. Those aspirants who do not have internet access can send a letter to the Mumbai campus asking for printed application forms to fill out.

TISS will be offering admissions to 57+ PG degree programmes from its Mumbai, Tuljapur, Guwahati, and Hyderabad campuses for the 2023-2025 batch. Candidates can apply for a maximum of three programmes across any of the two campuses indicating the order of preference (5 One year programmes, 51 two-year programmes, three years B.Ed. M.Ed programmes and 3 PG diploma programmes).

TISSNET 2023: How to apply

• Visit the official website of TISS–tiss.edu and register with your email id.
• The candidate will be sent a password that is to be used for logging in and filling out the online form.
• Fill in your basic details, and academic details and have to mention the programmes you wish to apply for in the order of preference.
• Submit the application fee (depending on the number of programmes applied) either by depositing cash in any branch of SBI or through credit card, debit card or net banking.
• Scan and upload photograph, signature, mark sheet of the last exam passed, and other necessary certificates.

TISS-NET hall ticket 2023 will be uploaded on TISS official website. The Tata Institute of Social Sciences National Entrance Test will be held across 40 different cities/towns in the country between 28 January 2023, to 28 February 2023.

Candidates must note, only the ones who have been short-listed will get call letters for the second round of Online Assessment(OPI), which is scheduled to be held in April 2023. The merit list will be prepared based on the preferences given by the candidate in the application form.

Source: The Telegraph, 14/12/22

TISSNET 2022 admit card to release today: Check these 5 things after downloading the hall ticket

 

The admit card for TISSNET 2022 will be released at tiss.edu. Check the crucial points to remember after downloading the hall ticket here. 

The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, will release the TISSNET 2022 admit card today i.e February 14. The candidates can download it from tiss.edu. The exam is scheduled to be held on February 26, 2022. Only those candidates who have completed the application form and paid the fee have received the admit card for the exam.

The last date to download the admit card is February 21, 2022. To download it, the candidates must visit the official website of TISSNET 2022 and log in using their username and password.

After this, candidates need to click on the link to download the admit card and the admit card will appear on the screen. It is advised to download multiple copies of the admit card. If candidates are unable to access the admit card, they must contact the institute’s authorities.

In the admit card of TISSNET 2022, details like personal details of the candidates, date of the exam, timings of the exam, address of the exam centre, instructions for the exam are mentioned.

Once the candidates have downloaded their copy of the admit card, here are the 5 things that candidates must do to avoid last-minute problems at the time of the exam.

Check the admit card and verify the details. In case of a discrepancy in the admit card, the candidates must write to admissioninfo@tiss.edu or call TISS Care at 022-2550 5252 to correct the error.

Contact the official authority if you have not received the admit card: In case, the candidates do not receive their TISSNET admit card 2022 till February 21, 2022, call at TISS Care 022 – 2552 5252. The candidates can register a complaint by sending an email to admissioninfo@tiss.edu.

Go through the exam details– Important details like exam date, time, exam centre and other details are mentioned on the admit card. Candidates must go through this information thoroughly and contact the authorities immediately if there is any error.

Be ready with all the required documents– The candidates are required to carry the admit card and valid ID proof with them. Candidates will not be allowed to enter the hall without either of these. So, make sure these documents are available and ready on the day of the exam.

Make study plans for the last few days– The admit card is released two weeks before the exam. By this time the candidates are expected to have completed the syllabus. The last few days must be utilised for revision of important topics, solving mock papers and working on time management.

TISSNET is a national level entrance exam conducted by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) for admission to full-time postgraduate degree programmes like MA, MSc, MHA, MPH, Law offered by the institute. It is a 100-marks computer-based test (CBT). The test comprises multiple-choice questions from English Proficiency, Mathematics and Logical Reasoning, General Awareness.

Written by AglaSem

Source: Indian Express, 14/02/22

TISSNET 2022: List of recommended books to ace the exam

 

The TISSNET Exam 2022 is expected to be held in January or February 2022. Know here which are the best books to prepare for the exam. 

Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai will soon announce dates and details of TISSNET 2022. The exam is held for candidates who wish to get admission in Master of Arts / Master of Science / BEd-MEd Integrated programmes. The exam is highly competitive and the candidates who qualify for it are called for the further round of the admission process.

Candidates who are aiming to take the upcoming exam will be able to fill the TISSNET 2022 application form by the end of October or in the first half of November 2021. To ace the exam, candidates need complete knowledge of the exam and good study material. To help the students, here is a list of best books for TISSNET 2022 preparation

Best books for English proficiency: As per the TISSNET 2022 syllabus, the topics which are important in this section are — antonyms, synonyms, idioms, phrases, one word substitution, fill in the blanks, reading comprehension, sentence correction, error detection, etc. Some of the best books which help prepare these sections well are Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis, English Is Easy by Chetananand Singh, High School English Grammar and Composition Key by Wren & Martin, English for General Competitions by Neetu Singh, Language Skills and Reading Comprehension for CAT by Arun Sharma, Mastering the Verbal Ability for CAT by Ajay Singh. 

Best books for general awareness: The exam pattern of TISSNET 2022 is such that this is one of the most important sections in the exam. Candidates must have knowledge of personalities, geography, literature, current affairs, economics, business, awards, sports, etc. Books that will help in preparing well are Manorama Yearbook by Manorama, Current Affairs Yearly by Arihant, The Best Book of General knowledge by Subhash C. Soni, General Knowledge 2020: Latest Current Affairs & Who’s Who by RPH Editorial Board

Best books for mathematics and logical reasoning: During TISSNET 2022 preparation for maths and logical reasoning section, candidates can use these books –How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Arun Sharma, The Pearson Guide to Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation for the CAT by Nishit K. Sinha, Quantitative Aptitude by Dr. R.S Aggarwal, How to prepare for Logical Reasoning for CAT by Arun Sharma, Verbal and Non-verbal Reasoning by R S Aggarwal, Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT Common Admission Test for Admission into IIMs by Sarvesh K. Verma

TISSNET is a one hour and 40-minute exam. In this duration, candidates have to solve 100 multiple choice questions on English proficiency (EP), General Awareness (GA), and Mathematics and Logical Reasoning (M&LR). From the EP section, 30 questions are asked. From GA 40 questions are asked and from the MLR 30 questions are asked. Each question carries 1 mark and there is no negative marking in the exam.

Candidates preparing for TISSNET must read the newspaper daily and keep track of the current affairs. While doing so, candidates can make a rough notebook and note down the important dates and names. Learn a lot of tricks and shortcuts to gain the speed required in Mathematics. Solve some brain puzzles and riddles to enhance your logical reasoning.

Solve reading comprehension passages daily and learn new words from the dictionary. Read some good books and English newspapers which will enhance your vocabulary. Have confidence while giving the exam and have a good sleep before the exam day.

Source: Indian Express, 19/10/21

TISSNET 2021: Check paper analysis, selection process details

 TISSNET 2021: The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) conducted the TISSNET 2021 on February 20. TISSNET is the National Entrance Test (NET) for admission to MA, M.Sc and integrated degree programmes of the institute. As per memory-based reports from candidates who took the test, the overall level of difficulty of the question paper was moderate.

The unofficial answer key is available now. The entrance exam was conducted as a computer based test, where candidates were required to solve 100 MCQ type questions in 100 minutes. Tata Institute of Social Sciences evaluates candidates on the basis of English proficiency, mathematical skills, logical reasoning and general awareness.

The level of difficulty of the English and mathematics/ logical reasoning sections were between easy to moderate in the TISSNET exam analysis. Questions from general awareness were moderate to difficult in terms of the level of difficulty.

The overall number of good attempts is anticipated to be at 70 out of 100. The number of good attempts is deemed to be the highest in the general awareness section as reported by the candidates. Next, TISS will publish the TISSNET result. On the basis of which, candidates will have to appear for next rounds.

The TISSNET selection process is a bit unconventional. The entrance exam is only the first step of the stairway to the final merit list. Candidates have to take the TISSPAT in the second stage while those who prefer HR and LR and ODCL programmes, have to take the TISSMAT exam.

Only after qualifying for these exams, can a candidate appear in the final online personal interview. In the overall selection process, the TISSNET exam carries only 30 per cent marks weightage while TISSPAT/ TISSMAT carries 40 per cent marks weightage. The rest of the marks (30 per cent) are carried by the online personal interview.

Once the merit lists are out, candidates can check their score at the official website i.e. tiss.edu. Since the scorecard is issued through individual candidate login, one must have the registered email ID and password. Those who qualify in the first stage by securing the TISSNET cut-offs, will have to appear in the subsequent TISS PAT or MAT exam depending on the programme they choose.

Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) has not revealed any official dates on which the result is releasing. However, once the result releases, candidates must get ready to appear in the PAT or MAT exam. The details of these exams are on the official website which is why candidates are being advised to keepOnce the second stage selection exams are over, the merit lists are again released to indicate qualifiers of the exam. Based on the score, candidates are called to appear in the online personal interview, which is the final selection stage.

TISS PAT is a 45 minutes long test which is expected to notify the complete scheme and pattern of the exam very soon. Similarly, those who appear in the TISS MAT exam may note that it is also conducted as a 45 minutes long test carrying 50 marks. The question paper carries only objective type questions in the MAT exam. a regular tab of the website tiss.edu.

Source: Indian Express, 21/02/21

TISSNET MA admit card 2021 released, check exam date

 TISSNET MA admit card 2021: The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) has released the admit card for the national entrance test (TISSNET) conducted for MA admissions. The hall ticket is available for download at the website- admissions.tiss.edu.

TISSNET is a computer-based common screening test to be held on February 20 at centres across India. Candidates will be given 100 minutes to solve 100 objective-type multiple-choice questions (MCQ).

TISSNET MA admit card 2021: How to download

Step 1: Visit the official website- tiss.edu

Step 2: Click on download ‘MA 2021 TISSNET hall ticket’ link

Step 3: Enter the login credentials- registration number/ roll number, date of birth

Step 4: Hall ticket will appear on the screen

Step 5: Download, take a print out for further reference.

The selection process consists of passing the TISS national entrance test (TISS-NET) exam followed by TISS programme aptitude test (TISS-PAT) along with TISS online personal interview (OPI).

The entrance exam is being conducted for admission in MA, MSc, MHA and MPH courses.

Source: Indian Express, 9/02/21

India justice report 2020: One in 4 cops in Bihar a woman, highest among states

 At 25.3 per cent, Bihar leads the list of 25 states for employing most women in its police force, according to the second annual survey on police, prisons, judiciary and legal aid, India Justice Report, released on Thursday.

The state finished ahead of Himachal Pradesh (19.2%) and Tamil Nadu (18.5%).

However, although it is the only state to have more than 20 per cent women in the police force, women account for only 6.1 per cent in the officer category. Tamil Nadu, the report says, has the highest percentage of women police officers (24.8%) , followed by Mizoram (20.1%).

On diversity, Karnataka is the only state to meet its quotas for SC, ST and OBC in both officer cadre and constabulary, Chhattisgarh being the only other state that meets the diversity requirements for constabulary.

The report analysed expenditure, vacancies, representation of women and members of SC, ST and Other Backward Classes, across 18 large and mid-sized states with a population of over 1 crore and eight smaller states. The report was an initiative of Tata Trusts, along with the Centre for Social Justice, Common Cause, CHRI, DAKSH and TISS-Prayas and Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy.

The lack of representation of women as judges in high courts is telling. Sikkim tops the list with 33.3 per cent women – Sikkim High Court has just three judges, Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai being its lone woman judge. Overall, only 29 per cent judges in HCs across the country are women, but no state except Of the rest, Andhra Pradesh tops the list with 19 per cent, followed by Punjab and Haryana, where the common HC for the two states has 18.2 per cent women judges.

Four states — Bihar, Uttarakhand, Tripura and Meghalaya — have no woman judge in its high courts.

Despite the low figures, women’s representation has marginally increased in police, prisons and the judiciary, the report mentions. Women account for 10 per cent of all police personnel, up from 7 per cent in January 2017; 13 per cent prison staff (10% in December 2016); 29.3% of judges (26.5% in 2017-18).

Overall, Maharashtra retained the top spot on delivery of justice to people among 18 large and mid-sized states, followed by Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Punjab and Kerala.

The report also noted that an overwhelming two-thirds of all prisoners are undertrials awaiting a conviction.Sikkim has over 20 per cent women judges.

Source: Indian Express, 29/01/21

51% TISS students not comfortable with online classes, 70% want campus to reopen: Survey

 

As colleges across the country prepare to reopen their campuses after the lockdown, almost 70% students of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, want their campus reopened soon.

As colleges across the country prepare to reopen their campuses after the lockdown, almost 70% students of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, want their campus reopened soon.

A survey was conducted by Progressive Students’ Forum (PSF), an initiative by the students of TISS for building a democratic and secular space on campus, to understand the impact of online classes on students.

Of the 549 students surveyed across all four campuses—Mumbai, Hyderabad, Tuljapur, Guwahati—only 28.8% said they were comfortable with online classes. More than half respondents said they were not comfortable with online teaching and the rest said they weren’t sure. Institute officials were unavailable for a comment.

“In various parts of our country, discussion regarding reopening campuses is going on. In light of that, PSF decided to conduct a survey to find out the opinion of the general student body about the ongoing mode of education and re-opening of campuses,” said a member of PSF.

Most students (41%) said they wanted the campuses to reopen by next semester and 32% said the institute should reopen by the end of the current semester.

The institute shut down its campuses in March following the Covid-19 outbreak and the subsequent lockdown. Soon after, an online mode of instruction was adopted to continue classes.

While the institute is yet to announce any plans for reopening, the PSF has written to the TISS administration based on the findings of the study. The PSF had suggested a phase-wise reopening of campuses, guidelines for attendance and how to conduct classes while maintaining social distancing norms.

According to the PSF, students in the survey said that accommodation facilities such as hostels must be provided for all the returning students. “In order to reduce congestion, maximum single rooms or not more than two students per room can be ensured. There has to be mandatory separate rooms for high-risk groups,” said PSF in its letter.

Source: Hindustan Times, 13/11/20

Conformity and inequality are wired into our education system

 

It’s time that we reflect on the kind of world we are creating through our system of “formal education, assessment and rewards” and its implications on young students.

What is actually frightening has now turned into a joke — “It is probably easier to gain entry into heaven than admission into a prestigious Delhi University college.” Lady Shri Ram (LSR), a popular women’s college in New Delhi, this year announced a cut-off of 100 per cent for three of its courses, evoking awe, surprise and even cynicism. It led to questions like: Is it possible to get such scores? Is it even desirable to numerically quantify “learning” in this manner? In a one-correct-answer format, what is the scope for valuing diverse responses or perspectives? Who are these students and where do they come from? Are these marks a fair indicator of one’s ability, competence and merit? How do they gauge competence or aptitude of a student to study a particular subject in a specific college? What is the role of tuitions in escalating exam scores?

Rather than seeking answers to these questions, it’s important to recognise that board exams bring together students belonging to diverse family backgrounds, with unequal social and cultural capital and those studying in starkly different schools in terms of resources, quality of teaching, etc., on the same platform, to judge, rank and award them. Ignoring fundamental differences among students in terms of their social locations, it treats everyone uniformly, giving a false impression of impartiality, thereby legitimising both success and failure while individualising structural limitations. So, a student with 99 per cent marks on being turned away by LSR may feel sad, but not enraged or cheated because she regards the system as being essentially just. In a situation where aspirants far exceed opportunities available, board exam marks are used to eliminate some students from accessing certain educational degrees and spaces, such that students themselves ungrudgingly accept their failure as a result of their own inadequacy or incompetence.

It can be safely assumed that most high-scorers are from families equipped with social and cultural capital, are highly motivated, and proactively supported (or arranged for) in their studies. Most of them study in schools with good infrastructure and qualified teachers who also recognise the importance of marks in these exams, and, most importantly, they have acquired the “smart” way of “learning and writing” exams. Debating over whether these students are academically brilliant or not is not important. But the one thing which is certain is that in an education system where all knowledge is quantified, subject to being memorised, evaluated and ranked, these students know how to learn and present their answers. Even among the socially-culturally disadvantaged groups, the better-off ones make it to this privileged category of high scorers.

Schools in our country are either affiliated to central, regional or international boards of examination. There are variations in the socio-economic backgrounds of students studying in these schools. In addition, there are discrepancies in marks allotted to students among these boards due to policies adopted by them, impacting the future trajectories available for students. For example, even the UP board topper this year, with a score as high as 97 per cent, will not be considered eligible by LSR for some of its courses.

So, a relatively homogenous group of students gets into a particular college. Differences in caste, religion and ethnicity often get submerged under the umbrella of academic excellence.The college further ensures its exclusive status, highlights its differences from others, exerts pressure on students to secure positions in university exams, hankers after awards in inter-college competitions, aspires for top rank in college ratings and abhors weakness/limitation/failure of any kind on part of either the student or college. This leads to: Blocking a heterogenous group of students from studying together; mitigating differences, if any, and ensuring commonality; promoting a tendency among students to hide their identities; commodification of education as a brand; celebrating elitism among a select few and alienation among most others. By the time these students complete their education, most of them not just think but act alike. It won’t be an exaggeration to state that even from a distance, one can actually identify the college that a group of students belong to.

It’s time that we reflect on the kind of world we are creating through our system of “formal education, assessment and rewards” and its implications on young students. A pandemic like COVID-19 should have been a good opportunity to do that. Instead, we have preoccupied ourselves with adopting more exclusionary devices to teach students, ignoring the larger aims of education and its relationship with society.

This article first appeared in the print edition on October 29, 2020 under the title “Another brick in the wall”. Nawani is professor and dean, school of education, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai

Source: Indian Express, 29/10/20

IIT Bombay, TISS ask students to vacate hostels

IIT-B has also imposed curbs on entering departments

IIT Bombay and TISS have asked students to vacate hostels and return home in light of the coronavirus outbreak. Many varsities across the country have issued similar directions. Owing to likely disruption in services, including the mess facility, “it is insisted that students who are still in hostels leave the campus (by Friday),” IIT Bombay director Subhasis Chaudhuri said in a circular. The institute has also restricted entry and exit since Tuesday. Students, who are not able to return due to any emergency, including international students, were told to take special permission from the administration. The institute has also imposed restrictions on entering academic areas and departments. Visitors will not be allowed in the hostels till March 31. TISS also asked masters, MPhil and PhD students, including those accommodated in off-campus Surjog hostel, to vacate the premises. “All academic activities have been closed for the year. Students have to come back at the time of next semester. It’s a preventive measure as the campus is a public place,” acting registrar MP Balamurugan told Mirror. Mumbai University has also asked students to vacate hostels till March 31. Currently, only 47 out of 188 students are still staying at the hostels.

Source: Mumbair Mirror, 19/03/2020

College libraries are evolving, with phone zones, events, hubs for networking

From silent zones with limited lending, they now offer unrestricted access to digital archives, and student-friendly spaces that welcome conversation, collaboration.

As libraries on Indian campuses adapt in an effort to stay relevant, they’re becoming unlikely spaces for students to network and socialise too. These new hybrid offerings call themselves workstations — you go there to browse or draw on reference books, but also to network, make friends, attend events, or just hang out and chat. For one thing, the no-talking rule has been lifted in institutes such as TISS, IIT and SIES.

“We spend a lot of our free time here. It’s no longer a space of prohibition on phones and working alone and in silence,” says Jit Hazarika, 28, a second-year PhD student at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS).

TISS has the four-storey, air-conditioned Sir Dorabji Tata Memorial library that combines physical books with digital volumes. A conference room within often hosts speakers and events. Students say it’s so comfortable, they often feel they have nowhere to go when it shuts in the evenings.

“The cyber cell within the library helps us research a range of topics at a touch,” says Muhammed Afsal, a second-year MPhil in social work. He further adds, “We recently had a public lecture by the president of the International Association of Schools of Social Work in the library conference hall. We have academic talks held in the library and also events where international universities come to promote themselves and reach out to students.”

A library should be a collaborative learning space where all the academic needs of the students are met, says TISS librarian Satish Kanamadi.

“We have designated the space in zones—there’s a discussion zone, a silent study zone, a mobile-friendly zone, etc, to help students use the library based on their needs. And we’re happy to see that this creative approach to the space and to our services has turn it into a preferred place for students to socialise and network.”

Community hubs

The two-storey Central library and lounge at the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B) is a meeting place too. It’s designed to be that way, with comfy couches rather than old-school table-chair formats.

“I found a really good campus friend at the library,” says Aditya Maitri, 20, a chemical engineering student. “He approached me asking if I could explain a concept to him. We’ve been friends ever since and we keep helping each other out.”

Students also bond over the events and workshops held in the Indian Institute of Technology- Bombay’s (IIT-B) library.

“There are creative writing workshops, storytelling sessions, book exhibitions, essay and quiz competitions and other activities, all organised in the library,” says chief librarian Manju Naika.

“We want the library to be a neutral point where like-minded students can meet, network and collaborate, since education and research are collaborative in nature.”

The South Indian Education Society (SIES) College of Arts, Commerce and Science has revamped its entire library, added digital volumes and new ‘cyber cells’.

“When we revamped, we made it more colourful and inviting. We no longer restrict the use of cyber cells to research students only. Students can now issue as many reference books as they want. It made no sense to have a limit of three per student, when we really want them to read,” says vice-principal Rashmi Bhure.

The changes, students say, have made them feel more welcome.

A library is indeed one place where I am sure to find my tribe. In the last year we usually witness an influx of students from colleges across Mumbai.

“I remember how I instantly struck a chord over an author’s ideas with a girl whom I might never have otherwise talked to,” says Ankita Suresh, 19, a final-year psychology student.

Source: Hindustan Times, 18/09/2019

BMC and TISS join hands to help 3 lakh students

First-of-its-kind initiative to provide mental health counselling to civic school pupils.

A groundbreaking initiative is being launched in Mumbai under which lakhs of students in BMC schools will benefit from free mental health counselling over the next five years. This is the first time that such a large-scale programme is being implemented in the city. It will see principals and teachers being trained to identify children suffering from depression and stress who need counselling from doctors. The Smiling Schools Project – which will bring together Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), prominent psychiatrists, non-profit organisations and the BMC – aims to target more than 3 lakh students in the 13-17 age bracket. The programme was conceived by Project Mumbai and developed by TISS. On Monday training of 150 principals from various MCGM schools will begin at a BMC school in NM Joshi Marg, Parel. Dr Kersi Chavda, practising psychiatrist and consultant at Hinduja Hospital, Dr Mona Gajre, psychiatrist at the BMC-run Sion Hospital, Dr Henal Shah, psychiatrist, BYL Nair Hospital, Dr Chetna Duggal, assistant professor, TISS, Shishir Joshi, CEO and founder, Project Mumbai, will train them. As per data released by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, one in five children and youth in India has a diagnosable emotional or mental health challenge severe enough to impair functioning at home, school or in the community, Joshi told Mirror, adding that the most common mental health concerns among children aged 13-17 are depression and anxiety. “Project Mumbai is taking the initiative to launch this project. It is a first-of-itskind comprehensive mental wellness programme aimed at building the mental and emotional resilience of every child across the municipal schools in Mumbai and the MMR region,” Joshi said. Affluent parents, who are more educated and aware of the importance of mental wellness, can afford treatment, Dr Chavda said. Most students in BMC schools come from an economically weaker background and cannot afford to visit psychiatrists or seek treatment, he said. “With this programme we want to ensure that every child has access to counselling. “Adolescents often are sensitive and more likely to get depressed, self-harm, get involved with drugs. Identifying mental problems and counselling and treating them is very important. Early diagnosis gives better results. We are even seeing depression in under-12s,” Dr Chavda said. In its first year of implementation, The Smiling Schools Project will reach out to 150 schools, close to 600 teaching staff, 12,000 students, 12,000 parents and approximately 50 counsellors. By the end of the fiveyear period, the project will have covered approximately 1,200 schools and more than three lakh students, parents and staff members, thoroughly covering topics such as bullying, teacher-student relationships and peer relationships, happiness and wellbeing, stress and coping mechanisms, emotional regulation, and selfcare. The project will employ a ‘trainthe-trainer’ model, wherein facilitators from partner organisations will receive training from Project Mumbai mental health team and experts on a set curriculum, which has been put together through a widely consultative process. “Two years ago TISS launched an awareness programme called School Initiative for Mental Health Advocacy, in 16 schools. There is huge stigma attached to depression. Many parents and children are reluctant to meet psychiatrists. We wanted to spread awareness of these issues,” Dr Duggal, a knowledge partner in the initiative, told Mirror. “With this programme, we are implementing our idea on a large scale. Students who receive support from teachers and peers are likely to have more self-esteem and fewer depressive symptoms.”


Source: Mumbai Mirror, 16/09/2019

TISS student’s docufilm heads for the Big Apple

‘Battle of Bhima Koregaon: An Unending Journey’ selected for Dalit Film and Cultural Festival

After doing the rounds of campuses across India, TISS student Somnath Waghmare’s documentary Battle of Bhima Koregaon: An Unending Journey is heading for New York colleges. The film has been selected for the Film and Cultural Festival 2019 to be held in New York on February 23-24. It will share space with the works of acclaimed filmmakers Nagraj Manjule and Pa Ranjith. “This is the first time my film is going to be screened at an international platform. I am thrilled as I had tried to send it to many international fora, but the network of savarna (caste Hindus) academics and filmmakers is so strong, they shun your work. Even those who worked in the anti-caste space did not respond to me. International festivals have steep fees of Rs 10,000-20,000. This time, the Indian Ambedkarites in the US, who knew of my work, approached me. Both Nagraj and Ranjith have been my inspirations. I would never have imagined sharing space with them,” said Waghmare, a second-year MPhil student of the School of Social Sciences and Humanities at TISS. Waghmare began filming his documentary long before Bhima Koregaon became a flashpoint in 2018. Waghmare worked on collecting social memories for a year and completed the film in April 2017. Since then, it has been screened at 75 locations in the country, including 50 campuses. In New York, it is slated to be screened at The New School and Columbia University. “When I was pursuing media studies earlier, I realised that cinema and media largely ignored Dalit issues. The film industry gave glorified versions of the Peshwas. I felt the need to tell a positive story of Dalit assertion,” he said. Waghmare’s film made the cut for its topicality and the specific anticaste lens of his work. “We were particular about selecting documentaries by Dalit filmmakers and how they represented the topics they dealt with, while crossing the threshold of merit at the same time. Waghmare is a first generation filmmaker [from the community] and we are not going to apply the same lens as that for a Quentin Tarantino movie. We received a lot of entries and we have shortlisted his film,” said Suraj Yengde, fellow, Initiative for Anti-Racism and Accountability at Harvard Kennedy School, who is part of the festival’s organising team. He said deliberations are still underway on whether to screen the entire documentary or part of it due to time constraints. Waghmare, however, will not be able to attend the event due to his academic submissions and the difficulty in getting a visa at such a short notice

Source: Mumbai Mirror, 30/01/2019

Only 10 Indians on list of world’s 4,000 top scientists

 China 3rd On List With 482 Names

India boasts of eminent science and social science institutes like IISc, IITs, TIFR, JNU and Tiss. Yet, only 10 Indians figure among the world’s top 1% highly-cited researchers (HCR) in the two fields. To top it, some of the 10 are not from the country’s leading institutes. The list, comprising over 4,000 of the globe’s most ‘influential’ researchers has been released by firm Clarivate Analytics. Eminent scientist and former head of the scientific advisory council to the PM, CNR Rao, figures on the list. More than 80% of the names in the list, which covers over 60 countries, come from only 10 countries. Remarkably, 70% are from just five countries. Among institutions, Harvard University has the highest representation on the list, with 186 names. While India’s representation is negligible, China with 482 names is third on the list. The US tops the list with 2,639 names and the UK comes second with 546 names. JNU’s Dinesh Mohan, who figures on the list, said that till last year, less than five Indians would be on the list. “This year, they have included an additional category of ‘cross-field’, which took the number to 10,” he said. Rao said India must improve its quality of research, along with quantity to improve citations. “About 15 years ago, China and India were at the same level. But China contributes to 15- 16% of science in the world and ours is only about 3-4%,” he said. Ashok Pandey, from CSIR’s Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, is the only HCR from CSIR, which has a network of 5,000 scientists. “It is a matter of concern and needs to be addressed by the government, and stakeholders, including scientists,” he said. IIT-Kanpur professor Avinash Agarwal, who is on the list, said applied research does not get enough respect in a country like India, which is obsessed with fundamental research. “We need to improve our research ecosystem... Predatory journals, where you pay and publish, need to be penalised.” The other Indian names on the list are: Alok and Jyoti Mittal (a married couple; Jyoti is the only woman researcher on the list) from NIT Bhopal; Rajnish Kumar from IITMadras; Sanjeeb Sahoo from Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar; Rajeev Varshney from International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Hyderabad; Sakthivel Rathinaswamy from Bharathiar University, Coimbatore

Source: Times of India, 4/01/2019