NEISSR STAR programme: Empowering future social workers

Faculty and students of NEISSR during the ‘Students Training and Academic Readiness’ programme.

• DIMAPUR — The North East Institute of Social Sciences and Research (NEISSR) concluded its STAR (Students Training and Academic Readiness) programme on May 29 for the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) students.
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• The week-long training aimed to equip students with foundational knowledge, practical skills and a professional attitude required in the field of social work, the NEISSR stated in a press release.
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• The programme served as an academic orientation and capacity-building initiative, helping the students to transition from classroom learning to real-world fieldwork.
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• “Throughout the programme, participants were introduced to NEISSR’s mission, vision and core values, methods of social work, the importance of fieldwork practicum, leadership skills, goal setting, peer mediation, community engagement and social analysis.

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• “Each of these components was designed to help students gain a holistic understanding of their role as future social workers and community leaders,” it stated.
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• The final day of the programme was marked by an interactive and practical session on social analysis led by Vizosü Kikhi, assistant professor at NEISSR. Kikhi introduced the students to ‘Problem Tree Analysis,’ a participatory tool widely used in social work and development sectors to understand the root causes and consequences of social problems.
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• Students were divided into groups and engaged in a Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) exercise, where they were tasked to identify a prevailing social issue within a community.
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• Through the problem tree analysis, students learned how to differentiate between the root causes, core problems and their effects, allowing them to develop a deeper understanding and solution for complex social issues faced by communities.
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• In addition to social analysis, the session emphasised personal and academic goal-setting. Students were guided to reflect on their aspirations and map out their short- and long-term goals.
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• “This exercise was designed to foster self-awareness, motivation and a sense of direction in both their academic journey and future social work practice,” the release added.
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• The resource persons were Dr. Fr. C.P Anto, Principal NEISSR; Rev. GL Khing, Vice Principal and Administrator; Saziini Chache, researcher Peace Channel and assistant professors Dr. Toli H Kiba, Dr. Abel Ariina, Dr. Lily Sangpui, Vizosü Kikhi, Nlumpeule and. Barnic.