Dinanagar, Distt Gurdaspur, Punjab
Mentor-Mentee
System
Objectives of the Practice
· To provide students a
platform for emotional and instrumental support.
· To help the mentees in
achieving their goals.
· To make mentees confident
and to help them in their personal growth.
· To make them updated
regarding educational trends.
· To provide knowledge
about skill based education.
· To financially empower
girls and improve their livelihood by creating opportunities for them in this
backward and border area.
The Context
The institute is situated in semi urban,
border area which is just a few kilometers away from international border of
Pakistan. People of this area have a typical patriarchal mind set. Even career
oriented girls leave their jobs after getting married. Some girls are not
allowed to go for higher studies as their parents don’t allow them to move to
big cities. The institution took initiatives by taking smaller steps towards
vocational training of girls and engaging them in training that would provide
relevant skill oriented education. Special mentor-mentee groups are made to
provide personal care to each and every student.
The Practice
Two formal meetings with a group of 20
mentees are arranged by the mentors once in a semester. Aside these, mentees
can approach to their mentors any time personally or telephonically. In formal
meetings, the students mention their academic background, interests and their
goals, family background and expectations from the college. The mentor looks at
the attendance and performance of individual student and suitable measures are
taken to improve her performance. Parents are intimated about their wards’ performance
and separate parent meetings are held in chronic cases to report. The mentors
invite parents after every internal examination and keep them informed of
academic challenges and the progress of their wards. Mentees are encouraged to
participate in literary, fine arts, performing arts and sports depending on
their interest and talent. Workshops on personality development and
career-counseling are arranged by inviting competent authorities. Mentees are
counseled about road safety, health lifestyles, cleanliness, conservation of
water and energy, choice of careers. The students identified with personal
difficulties and low self-esteem are guided to the counseling cell (Enlightened
Minds) of the college and given special attention. Having recognized the need
for uplifting status of women socially as well as economically the institution
is running skill-oriented courses and Add-on-courses.
Evidence of Success
· The outcomes of this
process can be evaluated both objectively and subjectively. Student behaviour, self esteem and confidence have
shown further improvement. Campus discipline has tremendously improved.
Students take the initiative to turn/switch off taps, lights and fans when not
in use. For most students, the academic progression has seen an upward
trajectory suggesting better performance with each passing year. There are many
examples of students wherein the progress has been phenomenal. The students
develop moral values and better understanding of the life skills to become
better individuals. There is a constant progression in number of students
joining skill development courses as a result of continuous efforts on part of
the institution to sensitize the girls about importance of these courses. The
students of the institution successfully gained employment and some of them
became entrepreneurs.
Problems Encountered and
Resources Required
Undertaking this practice effectively and
efficiently is an important factor for both the mentor and mentee to make the
best of this process. Changing the mindset of the students and parents living
in this backward area was very challenging due to ignorance and lack of
knowledge on their part.
NAAC
UGC
NIRF
NPTEL