Shahid Matangini Hazra Government General Degree College For Women

Best Practice 1

Annual Air Quality Report 2021-22 Annual Air Quality Report 2022-23

Enhancing Air Pollution Awareness in students

Objectives of the Practice

The primary objectives of this practice are to educate and sensitize students about air pollution and its impacts and engage the college community in proactive measures to create awareness around air pollution in the students and the local community. The underlying principles are community engagement, and interdisciplinary learning.

The Context

Since the establishment of Shahid Matangini Hazra Government General Degree College for Women in 2015, the surrounding area has experienced rapid development with numerous construction projects continually underway. This rapid urbanization has led to increased levels of air pollution, posing a significant challenge to the community's health and environment. Recognizing the urgency of addressing this growing concern, all stakeholders, including the college administration, faculty, and students has come together to create awareness about air pollution both within and outside the college. The goal is to foster a deep understanding of air quality issues and promote collective action to mitigate pollution.

The Practice

The college has implemented a multi-faceted approach to promote air pollution awareness:

Educational Integration: The syllabus of various departments includes topics on air pollution. The inclusion of air pollution in the Environmental Studies syllabus ensures that every student, irrespective of their major, understands the basics and implications of air pollution.

Interactive Sessions and Webinars: The college organizes regular webinars, interactive sessions, and talks featuring experts in the field of air pollution.

Annual College Magazine: The magazine dedicates sections to environmental issues promoting awareness through articles, essays, and reports by students and faculty. The 2023 issue of the Annual College Magazine was specifically dedicated to women and environment wherein students submitted their insightful take on air pollution.

Campus Events by NSS and Subcommittees: Various events promoting cleanliness and air pollution awareness are organized within the campus. The NSS and other subcommittees like the MNGCRE subcommittee play a pivotal role in these initiatives.

Community Outreach by NSS: Beyond the campus, the NSS conducts awareness drives and events in the surrounding community, educating residents about the importance of air quality, air pollution and how to mitigate pollution.

Annual Air Quality Reports: Annual reports on air quality at the college's pollution monitoring station provide data and insights, guiding further actions and improvements. The 2022 and 2023 annual air quality report provides a detailed analysis of air quality trends and pollutant levels at the college's monitoring station.

Evidence of Success

The success of this practice is evident through various indicators:

1. Increased student participation in environmental activities and projects.
2. Enhanced community engagement, with local residents participating in NSS-led initiatives.

Problems Encountered and Resources Required

Implementing this practice faced several challenges:

Resource Constraints: Limited financial and human resources sometimes hindered the scale and frequency of activities.

Technical Challenges: Monitoring and reporting air quality required technical expertise and equipment, which were occasionally difficult to procure.

To sustain and expand these initiatives, ongoing support from the college administration, collaboration with external agencies, and continuous funding are essential.

Notes:

To implement this best practice in other institutions, it is crucial to:

1. Foster a culture of environmental responsibility among students and staff.
2. Establish collaborations with environmental organizations and government bodies.
3. Regularly review and update the curriculum to include current environmental issues.
4. Encourage student-led initiatives and provide platforms for them to share their work and ideas.
5. This practice not only enhances environmental awareness but also prepares students to become responsible citizens and leaders in addressing global challenges.

Best Practice 2

Empowering Students to become change agents: Promoting Gender Awareness at Shahid Matangini Hazra Government General Degree College for Women, Purba Medinipur

Objectives of the Practice:

The primary objective is to equip girl students with a comprehensive understanding of gender issues, both academically and practically. Through lectures, interactive sessions, and community engagement, the practice aims to cultivate a deep awareness of gender equity principles and sensitization to societal gender issues. The underlying principle is to empower students to become change agents in their communities by fostering a culture of gender equality and advocacy.

The Context:

Located in Purba Medinipur, Shahid Matangini Hazra Government General Degree College for Women identified the need to address prevalent gender disparities and societal biases. Despite being academically aware, students lacked practical exposure and understanding of gender issues beyond textbooks. This practice was developed to bridge this gap and empower students to actively contribute to gender equality initiatives in their communities.

The Practice:

The college integrates gender awareness into its academic curriculum through specialized lectures, workshops, and interactive sessions. Beyond academics, students participate in community outreach programs where they engage with local communities to spread awareness about gender issues. Constraints include resource limitations for organizing outreach activities and societal resistance to change. However, the uniqueness lies in the college's commitment to holistic gender education, fostering a generation of socially responsible leaders.

Evidence of Success:

Students from the college actively engage with various neighboring communities to promote gender awareness on a range of societal issues. This outreach is a significant aspect of the program, illustrating the students' dedication to applying their academic knowledge in real-world settings. Furthermore, their contributions to the college magazine showcase a greatly evolving sense of gender justice, as evidenced by the insightful articles and reflections on gender issues. Additionally, the gender audit report of the college highlights this growing awareness and evolution among the students, reflecting their deepening understanding and commitment to gender equity principles. These outcomes collectively signify the effectiveness of the practice in nurturing socially conscious individuals capable of driving positive change in their communities.

Problems Encountered and Resources Required:

Challenges include resource constraints for organizing community outreach programs and overcoming societal resistance to gender equality initiatives. Resources required include funding for guest lectures, workshops, and outreach activities, as well as support from local authorities and community leaders.

Notes:

The success of this practice underscores the importance of integrating practical, community-based learning into academic curricula. The college's future plan is to engage more students in outreach programs, extending their efforts to diverse rural locations farther from the campus. This strategy aims to promote gender equity and ensure that students have more platforms available for creating awareness and sensitization.