Student Induction Program

Engineering colleges were established to train graduates in their respective branch/ department of study, have a holistic outlook towards life, and have a desire to work for national needs and beyond. The graduating student must have excellent knowledge and skills in the area of his/her study. However, he must also have broad understanding of society and relationships. Character needs to be nurtured as an essential quality by which he would understand and fulfill his responsibility as an engineer, a citizen and a human being. Besides the above, several meta-skills and underlying values are needed. There is a mad rush for engineering today, without the student determining for himself his interests and his goals. This is a major factor in the current state of demotivation that exists among UG students towards studies. The success of gaining admission into a desired institution but failure in getting the desired branch, with peer pressure generating its own problems, leads to a peer environment that is demotivating and corrosive. For some, the start of hostel life without close parental supervision at the same time, further worsens it with also a poor daily routine. To come out of this situation, a multi-pronged approach is needed. One will have to work closely with the newly joined students in making them feel comfortable, allow them to explore their academic interests and activities, reduce competition and make them work for excellence, promote bonding within them, build relations between teachers and students, give a broader view of life, and build character. When new students enter an institution, they also come with diverse thoughts, backgrounds and preparations. They come into a new unfamiliar environment, and many of them have little knowledge of a university/college. An important task, therefore, is to welcome the new students to higher education and prepare them for their new role. Transition from school to college life is one of the most challenging events in a student’s life. Currently, precious little is done by most institutions, except for an orientation program lasting a couple of days. Student Induction is designed to help in the whole process. Therefore, it should be taken seriously, and as something more than the mere orientation program.

Camellia Institute of Technology, following AICTE Guideline, arranges Student Induction Program. Purpose of this is to help new students adjust and feel comfortable in the new environment, inculcate in them the ethos and culture of this institution, help them build bonds with other students and faculty members, and expose them to a sense of larger purpose and self exploration. Student Induction Program engages with the new students as soon as they come into this institution; regular classes start only after that. At the start of the induction, the incumbants learn about the institutional policies, processes, practices, culture and values, and their mentor groups are formed. Then the different activities start, including those which are daily.

Here is a list of activities:

1. Physical Activity
2. Creative Arts and Culture
3. Mentoring & Universal Human Values
4. Familiarization with College, Dept./Branch
5. Literary Activity
6. Proficiency Modules
7. Lectures & Workshops by Eminent People
8. Visits in Local Area
9. Extra-Curricular Activities in College
10. Feedback and Report on the Program
The time during the Induction Program is also used to rectify some critical lacunas, for example, English background, for those students who have deficiency in it. These are included under Proficiency Modules.