NEISSR, Chümoukedima, organises series of academic study tours for its MSW 4th semester students
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DIMAPUR — To help students connect theoretical knowledge with real-world application, the North East Institute of Social Sciences and Research (NEISSR), Chümoukedima, organised a series of academic study tours for its Master of Social Work (MSW) 4th semester students during the month of January and February.
The tours were organised for trainees of Peace and Conflict Transformation Studies (PCTS), Community Development (CD), Youth Development (YD), and Social Entrepreneurship Development (SED) specialisations. It is an integral component of the MSW curriculum, aimed at enhancing experiential learning, professional exposure, and field-based competencies among trainees through direct engagement with social development institutions and communities, according to an update from NEISSR.
The PCTS study tour was conducted from January 26 to February 3, covering places like Guwahati, Shillong, and Bhutan. Guided by Barnic Gangmei, Assistant Professor at NEISSR, the exposure aimed to bridge classroom-based theoretical learning with real-world practice in peace building, conflict transformation, governance, and rights-based interventions, said the press release.
They visited institutions such as the North Eastern Social Research Centre (NESRC), North East Network (NEN), Caritas India – Guwahati Region, Women Development Centre (WDC), and Shantivan Leprosy Rehabilitation Centre. Cultural exposure in Meghalaya and Bhutan, included a visit to Mawlynnong village.
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Trainees specialising in Community Development (CD) toured Kolkata from January 24 to February 4, exploring several NGOs in the city and rendering services at organisations like Shanti Dan, Prem Dan, and Nirmal Hriday that are working with the destitute, orphans, and persons with disabilities.
They also visited the Child in Need Institute (CINI), Calcutta Rescue, and the Institute for Indian Mother and Child (IIMC), providing them insights into child protection, community health, education, women’s empowerment, and livelihood initiatives, it was informed. They also visited Mother Teresa’s House, the Victoria Memorial, the Indian Museum, Science City, and Eco Park.
The update went on to highlight the visit of Youth Development (YD) trainees to Kolkata and Sikkim from January 24 to February 6, where students interacted with organisations such as Mother’s House, House of Hope, SEVA Kendra, Child in Need Institute (CINI), ADORE, Destiny Reflection, Prayasam, and the All Bengal Men’s Forum (ABMF), besides engaging with urban slum communities to understand grassroots realities. They also visited heritage sites like the Victoria Memorial and Eco Park, as well as Changu Lake and Nathula Pass in Sikkim.
Trainees of Social Entrepreneurship Development (SED) specialisation also toured Kolkata, visited organisations such as Udayani Social Action Forum, Udayan Shalini Fellowship, Lifeline Foundation, Jayiyo Kristiyo Prochar Samity (JKPS), Prayasam, ADORE Volunteer Organization, Destiny Foundation, House of Hope, and the Mother Teresa House of the Missionaries of Charity; and places like the Zoological Garden, Indian Museum, Eco Park, and the Victoria Memorial.
‘The study tours strengthened trainees’ understanding of peace building, community development, youth engagement, and social entrepreneurship, while reinforcing the professional values of teamwork, discipline, service, and social commitment,’ stated the update from NEISSR.