Objective

The objective of the Buddy Program and the Mentorship Program is to foster a culture of collaborative learning and peer support. These initiatives aim to:
• Enhance the academic performance of all students, with a focus on supporting those who need additional guidance.
• Provide student mentors with opportunities to reinforce their knowledge, gain leadership skills, and engage in teaching practices.
• Build a stronger sense of community and communication among students, across various sections and years.

Context

The programs are implemented for students who often require additional support to succeed academically. These programs are designed to address the challenge of providing personalized learning and support in a scalable manner.

Practice

Buddy Program:
• Each section selects the top five students and pairs them with the bottom five students to create buddy pairs.
• Regular meetings between buddies to provide academic assistance, technical guidance, and moral support. The interactions include tutoring sessions, study groups, and informal discussions.
• Department heads and faculty are actively involved in coordinating the meetings, monitoring progress, and providing encouragement.

Mentorship Program:
• Final-year and third-year students act as mentors for junior students, forming groups of 15 weak students from various sections.
• Weekly classes focusing on problem-solving, doubt-clearing, and topic-based teaching. Mentors prepare materials and conduct sessions.
• Student mentors receive a stipend from the college as recognition of their efforts.
• Program achievements are tracked weekly, and student performance is evaluated through internal exams. Reports are submitted to the Head of Department.

Evidence of Success:
• Improvement in exam scores and class performance among the bottom few students in each section.
• Increased student participation in academic and co-curricular activities due to better understanding and guidance.
• Enhanced subject knowledge and teaching skills among mentors, with improved results in their exams and competitive test preparation.
• A stronger sense of camaraderie and peer support across sections and academic years.

Problems Encountered:
• Difficulties in matching students with compatible personalities, leading to potential mismatches.
• Maintaining regular meetings and ensuring consistent participation by both buddies and mentors.
• Limited faculty time and resources to oversee and manage the programs.
• Keeping mentors engaged and committed throughout the program duration.

Resources Required:
• Faculty members to coordinate and oversee the programs, and student mentors to participate actively.
• Stipends for student mentors, along with funding for program materials and activities.
• Dedicated spaces for meetings, tutoring sessions, and mentorship classes.
• Tools for communication and tracking progress, such as online platforms for scheduling meetings and reporting outcomes.

Objective

The primary objective of emphasizing value-based education is to integrate human values and professional ethics into the studies and campus culture. This initiative aims to:
• Develop well-rounded individuals who understand and embody values such as integrity, compassion, and social responsibility.
• Promote a culture of holistic well-being, where students, faculty, and staff contribute positively to the community and society.
• Prepare graduates to be ethical professionals and responsible citizens who can foster harmonious relationships with others and the environment.

Context
Value-based education is introduced within an academic environment to address the growing need for moral and ethical grounding in technical and professional education. The initiative is driven by the realization that academic knowledge should be complemented by a strong sense of values to create a more empathetic and just society. AKGEC’s appointment as a Nodal Centre by AKTU highlights the importance of value-based education and the college’s leadership role in promoting it.

Practice
• Value Education Cell (VE Cell): Established over a decade ago, the VE Cell integrates value education into college activities. It is responsible for organizing various programs and events that encourage ethical thinking and behaviour.
• Human Values and Professional Ethics Course: An 8-day mandatory course for all faculty members, ensuring that educators themselves embody and promote these values.
• Advanced Courses in Universal Human Values: Many faculty members undertake further training to deepen their understanding of value-based education.
• Student Involvement: Students actively participate in VE Cell activities, contributing to event organization, online webinars, and environmental initiatives.
• Regional Outreach: The college’s Regional Center promotes value-based education beyond the campus, fostering relationships with nearby institutions and spreading the importance of ethical living.

Evidence of Success
• Faculty Training: Completion of the mandatory course in Human Values and Professional Ethics by all faculty members demonstrates the institution’s commitment.
• Student Participation: Increased engagement in VE Cell activities and a positive response to events like “Quiz of the Week" and “Drishti."
• Community Impact: Successful outreach programs in nearby institutions and positive feedback from participants indicate the wider influence of AKGEC’s value-based education efforts.
• Nodal Centre Recognition: Being named one of AKTU’s five nodal centres is a significant acknowledgment of AKGEC’s dedication to promoting human values and professional ethics.

Problems Encountered
• Ensuring continuous participation and maintaining enthusiasm over time can be challenging.
• Resource Constraints: Organizing workshops, events, and outreach activities requires dedicated resources, including time, staff, and funding.

Resources Required
• Human Resources: Faculty and staff to lead the VE Cell and organize events, along with trained professionals to conduct courses in human values and ethics.
• Financial Resources: Funding for event organization, workshop materials, and regional outreach programs.
• Infrastructure: Meeting spaces for workshops, technology for online webinars, and resources for promotional activities.
• Community Support: Engagement with local institutions and the surrounding community to extend the reach of value-based education.