Learning activities have a visible element for developing sensitivities towards community issues, gender disparities, social inequity etc. and in inculcating values and commitment to society. Affiliation and interaction with groups or individuals who have an interest in the activities of the institution and the ability to influence the actions, decisions, policies, practices or goals of the organization leads to mutual benefit to both the parties. The processes and strategies inherent in such activities relevantly sensitize students to the social issues and contexts. Sustainable practices of the institution leading to superior performance results in successful outcomes in terms of generating knowledge useful for the learner as well as the community. Extension also is the aspect of education which emphasizes community services. These are often integrated with curricula as extended opportunities, intended to help, serve, reflect and learn. The curriculum-extension interface has an educational value, especially in rural India.
Title of the extension activity: “Energy Conservation”
Aim/objectives:
Target group/Beneficiary: The family members of 40 residences of Thirumangadu Welfare Residence Association, Puthuval, Pathanapuram
As part of the annual activities of the Department of Physics, the faculty of the department reached on a consensus to initiate an activity focused on energy saving, environment protection and safety with active participation of the local inhabitants in the premises of the college.The department adopted the Thirumangadu Welfare Residence Association, Puthuval, Pathanapuram for executing this extension activity. The activity initially commenced on the academic year 2015-2016 and has been continuing ever since.
In association with Kerala State Electricity Board, an awareness program was conducted focusing on the effective and diligent use of electricity for domestic or household purposes. The members from 40 residences actively participated in this interaction session. Thereafter, the department collected the monthly electricity bills of these members and recorded their consumption units. At the end of an academic year, the member who consumed lowest power was identified. The winner was given a special prize as a token of our encouragement towards energy saving, besides, rest of the participants were given consolation prizes for their active participation in our activity. This activity is still being pursued by the department every academic year.
Title of the extension activity: “Training on Mushroom Cultivation”
Aim/objectives:
Target group/Beneficiary: Students ,housemaids, Kudumbasree members, Self-made groups, laymen etc.
Edible mushrooms are the fleshy and edible fruit bodies of several species of macrofungi. They are consumed for their nutritional value and for their culinary value. Edible mushrooms include many fungal species that are either harvested wild or cultivated. Practicing mushroom cultivation is easy and it will provide economic support to the family.
Mushroom cultivation has become a very profitable pursuit in recent years, with more and more people turning to it and striking gold. In addition to that, understanding its potential, the centre and state agricultural departments have also been vociferously endorsing mushroom farming. Department of Botany provide mushroom cultivation training programme yearly, withthe aim to motivate youngsters and local people to start their own farm.
The cultivation practice of common oyster mushroom- Pleurotus sajor-caju and Milkymushroom- Calocybe indica. A number of lignocellulosic substances like paddy straw, sugarcane bagasse, water hyacinth, banana pseudostem were used for the production of mushrooms. Production of edible mushroom is a positive step towards not only minimising the environmental hazards which will lead to considerable re-cycling of these wastes, but also convert directly the lignocellulosic wastes to human food which may be an alternate to meet the continuously rising food demand.
This programme will include students, housemaids, laymen etc. of various sectors. Hands on training programme of mushroom cultivation includes various steps of spawn production, bed making, seeding, mushroom shed making, pest management, post-harvest maintenance, neutrasuticals and marketing.
Title of the extension activity: “Apiculture”
Aim/objectives:
Target group/Beneficiary: Students and the neighboring community .
Title of the extension activity: “Financial Literacy Programme”
Aim/objectives:
Target group/Beneficiary:The programme targets to make the people of Pattazhy Panchayath more aware about the various financial instruments available.
The Department of Economics plans to conduct a Financial Literacy Programme during the month of February, The programme intends to familiarise the financial instruments for the rural population through the collective efforts of the students and faculty members from the department.
Title of the extension activity: “Ward Adoption Scheme”
Aim/objectives:
Target group/Beneficiary: Ward Number- V I , of Pattazhi Vadakkekkara Panchayath.